LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 

©|ap. - inpi|ri0f;t '^a, 

Shelf -X.4-^ 



UNITED STATES OF AMEKIOA. 




SAfl'L THOMSON, Botanist. 

His system and practice oriorinatinu- with himsel 

BOF^X FHBRUARV 9th, 1769. 



NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH; 



OR, 



BOTmuG FpiniLY nmm 

CONTAINING 

A COMPLETE SYSTEM OF PRACTICE 

On a Plan entirely iWe^iv; 



WITH A DESCRIPTION OF THE VEGETABLES HADE USE OF, AND DI- 
RECTIONS FOR PREPARING AND ADMINISTERING THEM 
TO CURE DISEASE. 

TO WHICH IS ADDED 

A DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL CASES OF DISEASE ATTENDED BY THE 
AUTHOR, WITH THE MODE OF TREATMENT AND CURE. 



THIRD EDITION. 



lY SAIVIUEl- XMOIVISOINJ ^ /On / i/ — '-^ 



BOSTON: 

PKIXTRD FOR THE AtTTHOR, BY J. HOWE. 
1831. 



A Repriut from third edition by A. I. Berniuger, Indianapolis. Ind., 1891. 




i^\> 



Btstrict ot /IDassacbusetts, to wit: 

District Ci^icrk's Office. 

Be it reme:mbered. That on the twenty-third day of November, 
A. D. 1822, in the forty-seventh 3'ear of the Independence of the United 
States, of America, vSamuei. Thomson, of the said District, has de- 
posited in this Office the Title of a Book, the right whereof he claims 
as Author and Proprietor, in the words following, to wit: 

"New Guide to Health; or, Botanic Family Physician. Contain- 
ing a complete System of Practice, upon a plan entirel)^ new; with a 
description of the vegetables made use of, and directions for preparing 
and administering them to cure disease. To which is added a de- 
scription of several cases of disease attended by the author, with the 
mode of treatment and cure. By Samuel Thomson." 

In conformity to the Act of the Congress of the United States, en- 
titled, " An Act for the Encouragement of Learning, by securing the 
Copies of Maps, Charts and Books, to the Authors and Proprietors of 
such Copies, during the times therein mentioned:" and also to An 
Act entitled, " An Act vSupplementary to An Act entitled. An Act for 
the Encouragement of Learning, by securing the Copies of Maps, 
Charts, and Books to the Authors and Proprietors of such Copies dur- 
ing the times therein mentioned; and extending the benefits thereof 
to the Arts of Designing, Engraving and Etching Historical and other 
Prints. ' ' 

J NO. W. DAVIS, 

Clerk of the District of Massachusetts. 
Reprint Copyrighted, 1894, by A. I. Berninger. 



S'. J. CLARKE, PRINTER, 166 S. CLINTON ST. 



TO THE PROFESSION, AND FRIENDS OF PHYSIO-MEDICALISM. 

Ever since I have read Samuel Thomson's writings, I 
have been much impressed with the great number of truths 
contained in them, and the wonderful amount of information 
\vhich might be gained by both the profession and the public 
could his works be scattered broadcast. I think all who 
have read them, and are practicing the phj^sio-medical sys- 
tem of medicine, will rea4ily concede this. 

Understanding something of the darkness in which the 
medical w^orld still struggles; being personall}' thankful for a 
knowledge of the system, and having a burning desire to see 
the borders of this " School of Medicine" extended, even to 
the ends of the world, I undertook, through the profession, 
to. get out this reprint. 

For my success so far I thank all who have supported the 
undertaking. 

The future scattering of this knowledge lies largely with 
3'ou. Will 3^ou not have a further part in this work by in- 
ducing all w^hom you can to read this book ? 

Upon hearing these truths you were convinced. Cer- 
tainly others will be also. Let them hear. 
Yours for medical reform, 

A. I. BERNINGER. 



TO THE PUBLIC. 

The preparing the following work for the' press has been 
a task of much difficult}- and labor; for to comprise in a short 
compass, and to conve}^ a correct understanding of the sub- 
ject, from such a mass of materials as I have been enabled to 
collect by thirty years' practice, is a business of no small 
magnitude. The plan that has been adopted I thought the 
best to give a correct knowledge of m^^ system of practice; 
and am confident that the descriptions and directions are 
sufficiently explained to be understood b}- all those who take 
an interest in this important subject. Much more might 
have been written, but the main object has been to confine it 
to the practice, and nothing more is stated of the theory than 
what was necessar}- to give a general knowledge of the sys- 
tem. If any errors should be discovered, it is hoped that they 
will be viewed with candor; for in first publishing a work, 
such things are to be expected; but much care has been taken 
that there should be no error which would cause an^- mis- 
take in the practice, or preparing the medicine. 

Mau}^ persons are practicing b}" nty sj^stem who are in the 
habit of pretending that they have made great improvements; 
and in some instances it is well known that poisonous drugs 
have been made use of under the name of m}^ medicine, which 
has counteracted its operation, and therebj- tended to destroy 
the confidence of the public in my S3'stem of practice ; this has 
never been authorized by me. The public are therefore cau- 
tioned against such conduct, and all those who are well dis- 
posed towards my system are desired to lend their aid in 
exposing all such dishonest practices, in order that justice 



6 AGREEMENT. 

may be done. Those who possess this work may, by ex- 
amining it, be able to detect any improper deviations there- 
from, and they are assured that any practice which is not 
conformable to the directions given, and does not agree with 
the principles herein laid down, is unauthorized by me. 



AGREEMENT. 

The Subscriber, who is the discoverer and proprietor of 
the system of medical practice contained in this work, agrees 
to give, whenever applied to, an}- information that shall be 
necessary to give a complete understanding of the obtaining, 
preparing and using all such vegetables as are made use of 
in said system, to all those who purchase the right; and the 
purchasers, in consideration of the above information, and 
also what is contained in this book, agree in the spirit of 
mutual interest and honor not to reveal any part of said 
information to any person except those who purchase 
the right, to the injury of the proprietor, under the penalty 
of forfeiting their word and honor, and all right to the use of 
the medicine. And ever}- person who purchases the right, 
is to be considered a member of the Friendly Botanic Society, 
and entitled to a free intercourse with the members for in- 
formation and friendlv assistance. 



XKW aiJIDE TO HK^LTH 



OR, 



BOT^KIC Kaa^iily Physici^x. 



INTRODUCTION. 

There are three things which have, in a greater or less de- 
gree, called the attention of men, viz. : Religion, Govern- 
ment, and Medicine. In ages past, these things were thought 
by millions to belong to three classes of men, priests, 
lawyers, and physicians. The priests held the things of 
religion in their own hands, and brought the people to their 
terms; kept the Scriptures in the dead languages, so that the 
common people could not read them. Those da5's of dark- 
ness are done away; the Scriptures are translated into our 
own language, and each one is taught to read for himself. 
Government w^asonce considered as belonging to a few, who 
thought themselves ' ' born onl}- to rule. ' ' The common 
people have now become acquainted with the great secret of 
government, and know that "all men are born free and 
equal," and that magistrates are put in authorit}^ or out, b}- 
the voice of the people, who choose them for their public 
servants. 

While these, and man^^ other things, are brought where 
"common people" can understand them, the knowledge 
and use of medicine is in a great measure concealed in a 
dead language, and a sick man is often obliged to risk his 
life, where he would not risk a dollar; and should the apoth- 



8 .VEW GUIDE TO HEALTH; OR. 

ecary or his apprentice make a mistake, the sick man cannot 
correct it, and thus is exposed to receive an instrument of 
death, instead ofthat which would restore him to health, had 
he known good medicine. 

'* It may be alleged," said Dr. Buchan, "that laying 
medicine more open to mankind would lessen their faith in 
it. This indeed would be the case with regard to some, but 
it would have a quite contrary effect upon others. I know 
many people who have the utmost dread and horror of every 
thing prescribed by a physician, who will, nevertheless, w^ry 
readily take a medicine which the}^ know, and whose quali- 
ties they are in some measure acquainted with. 

" Nothing ever can, or will inspire mankind with an ab- 
solute confidence in physicians but b}' their being open, 
frank, and undisguised in their behaviour. 

' ' The most effectual way to destroy quacker}- in any art 
or science, is to diffuse the knowledge of it among mankind. 
Did physicians write their prescriptions in the common 
language of the country, and explain their intentions to the 
patient, as far as he could understand them, it would enable 
them to know when the medicine had the desired effect; 
would inspire him with absolute confidence in the physician ; 
and would make him dread and detest ever}- man who pre- 
tended to cram a secret medicine or poison down his throat." 

It is true that much of what is at this daj' called medi- 
cine is deadh' poison, and were people to know what is 
offered them of this kind, they would absoluteh- refuse ever 
to receive it as a medicine. This I have long seen and known 
to be true, and have labored hard for man}^ 5^ears to con- 
vince them of the evils that attend such a mode of procedure 
with the sick, and have turned ni}^ attention to those medi- 
cines that grow in our own country, which nature has prepared 
for the benefit of mankind. lyong has a general medicine 
been sought for, and I am confident I have found such as are 
universally applicable in all cases of disease, and which may 
be used with safety and success in the hands of the people. 

After thirty years' study, and repeated successful trials of 
the medicinal vegetables of our own countr}^, in all the dis- 
eases incident to our climate, I can, with well-grounded as- 



BOTAXIC FAMILY PHYSIC I AX. 9 

surance, recommend m}- system of practice and medicines to 
the public as salutar}^ and efficacious. 

Great discoveries and improvements have been made in 
various arts and sciences since the first settlement of our 
country, while its medicines have been very much neglected. 
As these medicines, suited to every disease, grow spontane- 
ously upon our own soil; as they are better adapted to the 
constitution; as the price of imported drugs is verj^ high; it 
follows, whether we consult health, which is of primary im- 
portance, or expense, a decided preference should be given to 
the former, as an object of such magnitude as no longer to be 
neglected. Yet in the introduction of those medicines I 
have been violently opposed, and ni}^ theory and practice 
condemned, notwithstanding the demonstrative proofs in 
their favor. But those who thus condemn have taken no 
pains to throw off prejudice, and examine the subject with 
candor and impartiality. Such as have, are thoroughly sat- 
isfied of their utility and superior excellence. 

From those who measure a man's understanding and 
ability to be beneficial to his fellowmen onl}- from the acqui- 
sition he has made in literature from books; from such as are 
governed b}^ outward appearance, and who will not stoop to 
examine a system on the ground of its intrinsic merit, I ex- 
pect not encouragement, but opposition. But this will not 
discourage me. I consider the discovery I have made of 
inestimable value to mankind, and intended for the great 
benefit of those who are willing to receive it. 

Being born in a new country, at that time almost a howl- 
ing wilderness, ni}- advantages for an education were ver}^ 
small ; but possessing a natural gift for examining the things 
of nature, my mind was left entirel)' free to follow that in- 
clination b}' inquiring into the meaning of the great variet}' 
of objects around me. 

Possessing a body like other men, I was led to inquire 
into the nature of the component parts of what man is made. 
I found him composed of the four elements — earth, water, 
air and fire. The earth and water, I found, were the solids; 
the air and fire the fluids. The two first I found to be the ^ 
component parts ; the two last kept in motion. Heat, I found. 



10 XEJV GUIDE TO HEALTH; 0A\ 

was life; and cold, death. Each one who examines into it 
will find that all constitutions are alike. I shall now^ describe 
the fuel which continues the fire, or life, of man. This is 
contained in two things, food and medicines, which are in 
harmony with each other; often grow^ in the same field, to be 
used by the same people. People who are capable of raising 
their food, and preparing the same, may as easily learn to 
collect and prepare all their medicines, and administer the 
same when it is needed. Our life depends on heat; food is 
the fuel that kindles and continues that heat. The digestive 
powers being correct, causes the food to consume; this con- 
tinues the warmth of the body b}^ continualh^ supporting the 
fire. 

The stomach is the deposit from which the whole body is 
supported. The heat is maintained in the stomach by con- 
suming the food, and all the body and limbs receive their 
proportion of nourishment and heat from that source, as the 
whole room is warmed b\^ the fuel w^hich is consumed in the 
fireplace. The greater the quantity' of wood consumed in the 
fireplace, the greater the heat in the room. So in the bod}^, 
the more food, well digested, the more heat and support 
through the whole man. By constantl}^ receiving food into 
the stomach, which is sometimes not suitable for the best 
nourishment, the stomach becomes foul, so that the food is 
not well digested. This causes the body to lose its heat; then 
the appetite fails; the bones ache, and the man is sick in 
every part of the whole frame. 

This situation of the body shows the need of medicine, 
and the kind needed; which is such as will clear the stomach 
and bowels, and restore the digestive powers. When this is 
done, the food will raise the heat again, and nourish the 
whole man. All the art required to do this is to know what 
medicine will do it, and how to administer it, as a person 
knows how to clear a stove and the pipe when clogged with 
soot, that the fire ma}^ burn free, and the whole room be 
warmed as before. 

The body, after being cleared of whatever clogs it, will 
consume double the food, and the food will affbrd double the 
nourishment and heat that it did before. We know that our 



BOTANIC FAMIL Y PHYSICIAN. 11 

life depends on food, and the stomach being in a situation to 
receive and digest it. When the stomach and bowels are 
clogged, all that is needed is the most suitable medicine to 
remove the obstructions in the system. All disease is 
caused by clogging the system ; and all disease is removed by 
restoring the digestive powers, so that food may keep up that 
heat on which life depends. 

I have found by experience that the learned doctors are 
wrong in considering fever a disease or enemy ; the fever is a 
friend, and cold the enemy. This I found by their practice in 
vny family, until they had five times given them over to die. 
Exercising ni}^ own judgment, I followed after them, and 
relieved my family ever}^ time. After finding a general prin- 
ciple respecting fevers, and reducing that to practice, I found 
it sure in all disease, where there was any nature left to build 
on, and in three years' constant practice I never lost one 
patient. 

I attended on all the fevers peculiar to our country, and 
alwa^^s used it as a friend, and that returned the gratitude to 
the patient. I soon began to give this information to the 
people, and convinced many that the}^ might as certainly re- 
lieve themselves of their disease as of their hunger. The 
expense to them to be alwaj^s able to relieve themselves and 
families would be but small; and the medicine the}' ma}^ 
procure and prepare themselves. 

This greatl}^ disturbed the learned doctors, and some of 
them undertook to destro}^ me b}^ reporting that I used poi- 
son ; though thc}^ made no mention of my using their instru- 
ments of death, mercury, opium, ratsbane, nitre, and the 
lancet. I considered it my duty to withstand them, though 
I found m}^ overthrow was what they aimed at. A plan was 
once, laid to take me in the night, but I escaped. Next I 
was indicted as though I had given poison, and a bill brought 
against me for wilful murder. I was bound in irons and 
thrust into prison, to be kept there through the winter, with- 
out being allowed bail. I petitioned for and obtained a 
special court to try the cause, and was honorably acquitted, 
after forty days' imprisonment. I maintained my integritj^ 
in the place where my persecution began. In five 3' ears. 



12 JVBW GUIDE TO HEALTH; OR. 

while vindicating this new and useful disco ver}^ I lost five 
thousand dollars, besides all the persecution, trouble, loss of 
health, and reproach w^hich has been in connection wnth the 
losses. 

It has been acknowledged, even by those who are un- 
friendly to me and nw practice, that my medicine ma^^ be 
good in some particular cases, but not in all. But this is an 
error. For there are but two great principles in the consti- 
tution of things, whether applied to the mind or body — the 
principle of life and the principle of death. That w^hich con- 
tains the principle of life may be perverted, by a misapph- 
cation, into an administration of death; as the stomach may 
be overloaded, and injured, even by wholesome food; but 
nothing that is wholesome in any case, unless abused, can 
be even tortured into an administration of death. If, then, 
a medicine is good in any case, it -is because it is agreeable 
to nature, or this principle of life, the verj^ opposite of dis- 
ease. If it is agreeable in one case, it must be absolutely so 
in all. By the active operation of nature, the whole animal 
econoni}^ is carried on; and the father of the healing art, 
Hippocrates, tells us, what is an obvious truth, that nature 
is heat. The principle is the same in all, differing onl}- in 
degree. When disease invades the frame, it resists in pro- 
portion to its force, till overpowered into submission, and 
when extinguished, death follows, and it ceases to operate 
alike in all. If then, heat is life, and its extinction death, a 
diminution of this vital flame in every instance constitutes 
disease, and is an approximation to death. All, then, that 
medicine can do in the expulsion of disorder, is to kindle up 
the decaying spark, and restore its energy till it glows in all 
its wonted vigor. If a direct administration can be made 
to produce this effect, and it can, it is evidentl}^ immaterial 
what is the name, or color, of the disease, whether bilious, 
yellow, scarlet or spotted; whether it is simple or complica- 
ted, or whether nature has one enemy or more. Names are 
arbitrary things; the knowledge of a name is but the cummin 
and annis, but in the knowledge of the origin of a malad}^ 
and its antidote, lies the weightier matters of this science. 



BOTANIC FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 13 

This knowledge makes the genuine physician; all without it 
is real quacker3\ 

It has been a general opinion that extensive study and 
great erudition are necessary to form the eminent physician. 
But all this may be, as Paul saith, but science, falsel}- so 
called. A man may have a scientific knowledge of the hu- 
man frame; he may know the names in every language of 
ever}' medicine, mineral and vegetable, as well as ever}' dis- 
ease, and yet be a miserable physician. But there have 
been men without this to boast of, from the earliest ages of 
the world, who have " arisen, blest with the sublimer pow- 
ers of genius, who have, as it were, with one look pierced 
creation, and with one comprehensive view grasped the 
whole circle of science, and left learning itself toiling after 
them in vain. ' ' A man never can be great without intellect, 
and he never can more than fill the measure of his capacity. 
There is a power beyond the reach of art, and there are gifts 
that study and learning can never rival. 

The practice of the regular physicians, that is those who 
get a diploma, at the present time, is not to use those means 
which would be most likely to cure disease, but to \x\ ex- 
periments upon what the}' have read in books, and to see 
how much a patient can bear without producing death. Af- 
ter pursuing this plan during their lives, they know just 
about as much as they did when they began to practice of 
what is really useful to mankind. If a patient dies under 
their hands, why, it is the wall of God, and they are sure to 
get extravagantly paid for their trouble, and nothing more is 
said about it; but if one out of hundreds of my patients die, 
and where the doctors have given them over as incurable, 
they at once cry out that it is quacker}', that I gave them 
poison, etc., for the purpose of running me and my medicine 
down, and to prevent it being used by the people. The fact 
is well known to thousands who have used my medicine, and 
to which they are ready to attest, that it is perfectly harmless, 
and I defy the faculty to produce one instance wherein it has 
had any bad effects. 

It is true that the study of anatomy, or structure of the 
human body, and of the whole animal economy, is pleasing 



14 NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH; OA\ 

and useful; nor is there anj^ objection to this, however minute 
and critical, if it is not to the neglect of first great principles, 
and the weightier matters of knowledge. But it is no more 
necessary to mankind at large to qualify them to administer 
relief from pain and sickness, than to a cook in preparing 
food to satisf}^ hunger and nourishing the bod}^ There is 
one general cause of hunger and one general suppl}^ of food ; 
one general cause of disease, and one general remedy. One 
can be satisfied, and the other removed, by an infinite vari- 
ety of articles, best adapted to those different purposes. That 
medicine, therefore, that will open obstruction, promote per- 
spiration, and restore digestion, is suited to ever}- patient, 
whatever form the disease assumes, and is universal^ appli- 
cable. And acute disorders, such as fevers, colics and dj^s- 
enter}-, may be relieved thereby in twentj^-four or fortj^-eight 

hours, at most. 

REMARKS ON FEVERS. 

Much has been said and written upon fevers by the pro- 
fessedly learned Doctors of Medicine, without throwing the 
most profitable light on the subject, or greatly benefiting 
mankind. They have been abundantly fruitful in inventing 
names for disease, and with great care and accuracy distin- 
guished the different symptoms, but the}' appear quite bar- 
ren as to the knowledge of their origin and remed}-. To the 
first, but little importance, comparatively speaking, can be 
attached; the latter is of the highest importance to all classes 
of people. 

According to the writings of learned ph3^sicians, there are 
a great variety of fevers; some more and some less danger- 
ous. But to begin with a definition of the name. What is 
fever? Heat, undoubtedly, though a disturbed operation of 
it. But is there in the human frame more than one kind of 
heat? Yes, says the physician, strange as it may appear, 
there is the pleuritic heat, the slow, nervous heat, the putrid 
heat, the hectic heat, the yellow heat, the spotted or cold 
heat, the typhus or ignorant heat, and man}^ other heats, 
and sometimes, calamitous to tell, one poor patient has the 
most, or the whole, of these fevers, and dies at last for want of 
heat! 



BOTANIC FAMIL Y PHYSICIAN. lo 

Is fever or heat a disease? Hippocrates, the acknowl- 
edged father of physicians, maintained that nature is heat, 
and he is correct. Is nature a disease? Surely it is not. 
What is commonl3^ called fever is the effect, and not the 
cause, of disease. It is the struggle of nature to throw off 
disease. The cold causes an obstruction, and fever arises, in 
consequence of that obstruction, to throw it off. This is uni- 
versally the case. Remove the cause, the effect will cease. 
No person ever yet died of a fever! for as death approaches, 
the patient growls cold, until in death the last spark of heat 
is extinguished: This the learned doctors cannot den}-; and 
as this is true, they ought, in justice, to acknowledge that 
their whole train of depletive remedies, such as bleeding, 
blistering, physicing, starving, with all their refrigeratives, 
their opium, mercur}', arsenic, antimony, nitre, etc., are so 
many deadl}- engines, combined with the disease, against the 
constitution and life of the patient. If cold, which is the 
commonl}^ received opinion, and which is true, is the cause 
of fever, to repeatedly bleed the patient, and administer mer- 
cur}' , opium, nitre, and other refrigerents, to restore him to 
health, is as though a man should, to increase a fire in his 
room, throw a part of it out of the house, and to increase the 
remainder, put on water, snow and ice! 

As it is a fact that cannot be denied, that fever takes its 
rise from one great cause or origin, it follows, of course, that 
one method of removing that cause will answer in all cases , 
and the great principle is to assist nature, which is heat. 

At the commencement of a fever, by direct and proper 
application of suitable medicine, it can be easily and speedily 
removed, and the patient need not be confined long. Tw-en- 
ty-four or fort3'-eight hours, to the extent, are sufficient, and 
often' short of that time the fever ma}^ be removed, or that 
which is the cause of it. But where the patient is left unas- 
sisted to struggle with the disease until his strength is ex- 
hausted, and more especiallj- when the most unnatural and 
injurious administrations are made, if a recovery is possible, 
it must of necessity take a longer time. These declarations 
are true, and have been often proved, and can be again, to 



16 A^EJV GUIDE TO HEALTH; OR, 

the satisfaction of every candid person, at the hazard of any 
forfeiture the faculty may challenge. 

Notwithstanding all these things, how true are the words 
of the intelligent Dr. Herv^ey, who says: " By what unac- 
countable perversity in our frame does it appear that we set 
ourselves so much against any thing that is new? Can any 
one behold without scorn such drones of physicians, and 
after the space of so many hundred years' experience and 
practice of their predecessors, not one single medicine has 
been detected that has the least force directly to prevent, to op- 
pose, and expel a continued fever? Should any, by a more 
sedulous observation, pretend to make the least step towards 
the discovery of such remedies, their hatred and envy would 
swell against him, as a legion of devils against virtue; the 
whole society will dart their malice at him, and torture him 
with all the calumnies imaginable, without sticking at any- 
thing that should destroy him root and branch. For he who 
professes to be a reformer of the art of physic, must resolve 
to run the hazard of the mart^-rdom of his reputation, life and 
estate." 

The treatment which the writer has received from some 
of the learned physicians since his discovery of the remedy 
for the fever, and various other diseases, is a proof of the 
truth of this last saying of Dr. Herv^ey. They have impris- 
oned him, and charged him with everything cruel and un- 
just; though upon a fair trial, their violent dealings have 
come down upon their heads, while he has not only been 
proved innocent before the court, but useful, having relieved 
many which the other physicians had given over to die. 

I will now take notice of the yellow fever. The cause of 
this fatal disease is similar to the spotted fever. The cause 
of death in the latter is in consequence of its producing a 
balance by cold, outward and inward; and in the former 
there is a balance of heat outward and inward; both produce 
the same thing, that is, a total cessation of motion, which is 
death. The color of the skin has given name to both these 
diseases. The yellow is caused by the obstruction of the 
gall; instead of being discharged through its proper vessels, 
it is forced and diffused through the pores of the skin. The 



BO TANIC FA MIL Y PHY SI CI A N. 1 7 

same effects that are produced b}^ these two fevers maj' be 
observed in the motion of the sea; when the tide is done run- 
ning up, there is what is called slack water, or a balance of 
power; and the same thing takes place when it is done run- 
ning down; when the fountain is raised, the water runs from 
it; but when it is lowered the water runs towards it. The 
same cause produces the same effects in the spotted and j^el- 
low fevers; for when a balance of power between the outward 
and inw^ard heat takes place, death follows. 

Having described the two kinds of fever which are the 
most alarming, they being most fatal, I shall pass over those 
of a less alarming nature, and merely obser^'e that there is 
no other difference in all cases of fever than what is caused 
by the different degrees of cold, or loss of inw^ard heat, which 
are two adverse parties in one bod}^ contending for powder. 
If the heat gains the victory, the cold will be disinherited, 
and health will be restored; but, on the other hand, if cold 
gains the ascendenc}', heat will be dispossessed of its empire, 
and death will follow of course. As soon as life ceases, the 
bod}^ becomes cold, which is conclusive evidence that its 
gaining the victor}^ is the cause of death. When the powder 
of cold is nearh' equal to that of heat, the fever or strife be- 
tween the two parties may continue for a longer or shorter 
time, according to circumstances; this is what is called along 
fever,, or fever and ague. The battle between cold and heat 
will take place periodically, sometimes every day, at other 
times every other da}-, and they will leave off about equal, 
heat keeping a little the upper hand. In attempting to cure 
a case of this kind, we must consider whether the fever is a 
friend or an enem}' ; if it is a friend, which I hold to be the 
fact, when the fever fit is on, increase the power of heat, in 
order to drive off the cold, and life will bear the rule; but, on 
the contrar}^ should cold be considered a friend, when the 
cold fit is on, by increasing its power, you drive off the heat, 
and death must ensue. Thus 3^ou may promote life or death, 
by tempering cold and heat. 

Much has been said by the doctors concerning the turn of 
a fever, and how long a time it will run. When it is said 
that a fever will turn at such a time, I presume it must mean 



IS NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH; OR, 

that it has been gone; this is true, for it is then gone on the 
outside, and is trying to turn again and go inside, where it 
belongs. Instead of following the dictates of nature and aid- 
ing it to subdue the cold, the doctor uses all his skill to kill 
the fever. How, I would ask, in the name of common sense, 
can any thing turn when killed ? Support the fever and it 
will return inside; the cold, which is the cause of disease, 
will be driven out, and health will be restored. In all cases 
called fever, the cause is the same in a greater or less degree, 
and ma}^ be relieved by one general remedy. The cold 
causes canker, and before the canker is seated, the strife will 
take place between cold and heat; and w^hile the hot flashes 
and cold chills remain, it is evidence that the canker is not 
settled, and the hot medicine alone, occasionally assisted b}- 
steam, will throw it off; but as the contest ceases, the heat is 
steady on the outside; then canker a.ssumes the power inside; 
this is called a settled fever. The truth is, the canker is 
fixed on the inside and will ripen and come off in a short 
time, if the fever is kept up so as to overpower the cold. 
This idea is new and never was known till my discover}'. 
B}' raising the fever with Nos. i and 2, and taking off the 
canker with No. 3, and the same given by injections, we 
may turn a fever when we please; but if this is not under- 
stood, the canker will ripen and come off itself, when the 
fever will turn and go inside and the cold will be driven out; 
therefore they will do much better without an)- aid, than with 
a doctor. The higher the fever runs, the sooner the cold 
will be subdued; and if you contend against the heat, the 
longer will be the run of the fever, and when killed death 
follows. 

When a patient is bled, it lessens the heat and gives double 
power to the cold; like taking out of one side of the scale and 
putting it in the other, which doubles the weight, and turns 
the scale in favor of the disease. By giving opium it deadens 
the feelings; the small doses of nitre and calomel tend to de- 
stroy what heat remains, and plant new crops of canker, 
which will stand in different stages in the body, the same as 
corn planted in the field every week will keep some in all 
stages; so are the different degrees in canker. This is the 



BOTANIC FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 19 

reason why there are SO maity different fevers as are named; 
when one fever turns, another sets in, and so continues one 
after another until the harvest is all ripe, if the season is long 
enough; if not, the cold and frost take them off — then it is 
said the}^ died of a fever. It might with as much propriet}^ 
be said that the corn killed with frost died with the heat. 
The question w^hether the heat or cold killed the patient, is 
easily decided, for that power which bears rule in the bod)^ 
after death is what killed the patient, which is cold; as much 
as that which bears rule when he is alive is heat. When a 
person is taken sick, it is common to say, "I have got a cold, 
and am afraid I am going to have a fever;" but no fears are 
expressed of the cold he has taken ; neither is it mentioned 
when the cold left him. The fashionable practice is to fight 
the remains of heat till the patient dies, by giving cold the 
victory ; in which case is it not a fact that the doctor assists 
the cold to kill the patient? Would it not have been more 
reasonable, or likely to have cured them, when the fever 
arose to throw off the cold, to have helped the fever and give 
nature the victory over its enemy, when the health would be 
restored the same as before they took the cold? 

We frequently see in the newspapers accounts of people 
dying in consequence of drinking cold water when very warm. 
Some fall dead instantl}^, and others linger for several hours; 
the doctors have not been able to afford any relief when called. 
The principal symptoms are chills, and shivering with cold, 
which is viewed with astonishment by those who witness it. 
Proper caution should always be observed by persons when 
very warm and thirsty, who go to a pump to drink, by swal- 
lowing something hot before drinking the water, and swal- 
lowing a little at a time, which will prevent any fatal effects. 
■This strange circumstance of being cold on a hot day, and 
which has never been accounted for in a satisfactory manner 
to the public, I shall endeavor to explain in as comprehen- 
sive and plain language as I am capable. The component 
parts of animal bodies are earth and water, and life and mo- 
tion are caused by fire and air. The inward heat is the 
fountain of life, and as much as that has the power above the 
outward heat, so much we have of life and strength, and 



20 NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH; OR, 

when we lose this power of heat, our strength and faculties 
decay in proportion; and it is immaterial whether we lose 
this power by losing the inward heat or raising the outward 
heat above it, as the effect is the same. If you raise the 
stream level with the fountain, it stops the current, and all 
motion will cease; and the same effects will follow by lower- 
ing the fountain to a level with the stream. When the out- 
ward heat becomes equal with the inward, either by the ones 
being raised, or the others being lowered, cold assumes the 
power, and death takes place. 

The cause of the fatal effects b}- drinking cold water is 
because the fountain of life is lost by the stream being raised 
above the fountain, or the inward heat lowered by throwing 
into the stomach so large a quantit}' of cold water as to give 
the outward heat the power of balancing the inward; and in 
proportion as the one approaches to an equality with the 
other, so the strength is diminished, and when equal they 
die. 

I shall now make some further remarks on this and other 
subjects, with a hope that it ma}' be beneficial to mankind. 
The reason wh}^ these extraordinar}- cases appear so wonder- 
ful to the people, is because they are unacquainted with the 
cause. Why should we wonder at a person being cold on a 
hot day, when we are not, any more than we should wonder 
at another for being hungry, when we have just been eating; 
or that others can be in pain, when we are enjoying good 
health? The one is as plain and simple as the other, when un- 
derstood. The want of inward heat is the cause of their 
being cold, just as much as the want of food is the cause of 
hunger, or the want of health is the cause of pain. One 
person may have lost the natural power of heat by an ef- 
fect which others in similar situations may not have expe- 
rienced, and will suffer the consequences of cold in propor- 
tion to the loss of inward heat ; this is manifest in the differ- 
ent degrees of sickness. If the inward heat loses its balance 
of power suddenly, death is immediate; which is the casein 
spotted fever, and in drowned persons. When the inward 
and outward cold is balanced, life ceases, and the blood, be- 
ing stopped in its motion, settles in spots, which appearance 



BO TANIC FA MIL } ' PHYSICIAN. 21 

has given name to what is called spotted fever. The same 
appearances take place on drowned persons, and from the 
same cause. 

The practice of bleeding for the purpose of curing disease, 
I consider most unnatural and injurious. Nature never fur- 
nishes the bod}^ with more blood than is necessar}' for the 
maintenance of health; to take awa}- part of the blood, there- 
fore, is taking awa}' just so much of their life, and is as con- 
trar}^ to nature as it would be to cut awa}^ part of their flesh. 
Many experiments have been tried b}^ the use of the lancet in 
fevers; but I believe it will be allowed b}^ all, that most of 
them have proved fatal; and several eminent physicians have 
died in consequence of trying the experiment on themselves. 
If the S3''stem is diseased, the blood becomes as much dis- 
eased as any other part; remove the caUvSe of the disorder, 
and the blood will recover and become healthy as soon as any 
other part; but how taking part of it away can help to cure 
what remains, can never be reconciled with common sense. 

There is no practice used b}- the ph3'sicians that I con- 
sider more inconsistent with common sense, and at the same 
time more inhuman, than blistering to remove disease; par- 
ticularl}^ insane persons, or what the doctors call drops}^ on 
the brain ; in which case they shave the head and draw a blis- 
ter on it. Very few patients, if any, ever survive this appli- 
cation. What would be thought if a scald should be caused 
by boiling water to remove disease? Yet there is no differ- 
ence between this and a blister made by flies. I have wit- 
nessed man}' instances where great distress and ver}- bad ef- 
fects have been caused by the use of blisters; and believe I 
can truh' say that I never knew an}- benefit derived from 
their use. It ver}- frequently causes strangur}-, when the 
attempted remedy becomes much worse than the disease. 

In support of ni}' opinions on the subject, I will give the 
following extract from the writings of Dr. Hillary, an eminent 
physician of London : 

" I have long observed that blisters are too frequentl}', 
and too often improperly, used, as they are now so much in 
fashion. It is ver}' probable that we have no one remedy in 
all the Materia Medica that is so frequently, and so often 



22 NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH; OR, 

improperly, applied, not only in too many cases where they 
cannot possibty give any relief, but too often where they must 
unavoidably increase the very evil which they are intended 
to remove or relieve. How often do we see them applied, 
and sometimes several of them, by pretended dabblers in 
physic, not only where there are no indications for appljdng 
them, but where the true indications are against their applica- 
tion; as in the beginning of most fevers, and especially those 
of the inflammatory^ and of the putrid kind, where, in the 
first, the stimulous of the acrid salts of the cantharides , which 
pass into the blood, must unavoidably increase both the 
stimulous and the momentum of the blood, which were too 
great before, and so render the fever inflammator}-, and all 
its symptoms worse. 

" And it is well known that the cantharidcs contain a 
great quantity of alkaline semi-volatile salts, which pass into 
the blood, though the}- are applied externally; and attenuate, 
dissolve, and hasten, and increase its putrefaction, which is 
also confirmed by the putrid alkaline acrimony which they 
produce in the urine, with the heat and strangury, which it 
gives to the urinary passage. ' ' 

ON STEAMING. 

Steaming is a \^ry important branch of ni}^ system of 
practice, which would in man}- cases without it be insuffi- 
cient to effect a cure. It is of great importance in many 
cases, but considered by the medical faculty as desperate; 
and they would be so under my mode of treatment, if it was 
not for this manner of appl5'ing heat to the body, for the pur- 
pose of reanimating the system and aiding nature in restor- 
ing health. I had but little knowledge of medicine when, 
through necessity, I discovered the use of steaming to add 
heat or life to the decaying spark; and with it I was enabled, 
b^^ administering such vegetable preparations as I then had 
a knowledge of, to effect a cure in cases where the regular 
practitioners had given them over. 

In all cases where the heat of the body is so far exhausted 
as not to be rekindled b}- using the medicine and being 



BO TANIC FA MIL } ' PHYSICIAN. 23 

shielded from the surrounding air b}^ a blanket, or being in 
bed, and chills or stupor attend the patient, then applied 
heat b}^ steaming becomes indispensably necessar}^; and 
heat caused b}^ steam in the manner that I use it is more 
natural in producing perspiration than any dr}' heat that can 
be applied to the body in an}^ other manner, which will only 
serve to dry the air and prevent perspiration in many cases 
of disease, where a steam by water or vinegar would promote 
it and add a natural warmth to the body , and thereby increase 
the life and motion which have lain silent in consequence of 
the cold. 

Dr. Jennings has contrived a plan to apply heat to the 
body by a dry vapor, caused by burning spirit, which he calls 
a vapor bath, the idea of w^hich was, I have no doubt, taken 
from hearing ofm^^ steaming to raise the heat of the bod3\ 
It may answer in some cases and stages of disease ; but in a 
settled fever, and other cases where there is a drj^ inflamma- 
tion on the surface of the body, it will not answer any good 
purpose, and I think would be dangerous without the use of 
my medicine to first raise a free perspiration; for when the 
surface of the body is dry, the patient cannot bear it, as it will 
crowd to the head and cause distress, the same as is pro- 
duced b}^ burning charcoal, or from hot stoves in a tight 
room, and will bring on a difiiculty in breathing, which is 
not the case in steaming my wa}^ This machine can onh" 
be used in bed, where the vapor cannot be applied to the bod}- 
equall}^ at the same time, therefore is no better than a hot 
dr}^ stone put on each side and to the feet of the patient, for 
he can turn himself and get heat from them as well as to have 
all the trouble of burning spirit and turning to the vapor of 
it to get w^arm by this dry heat. When the patient stands 
over a steam raised by putting a hot stone in water, which 
gives a more equal heat all over the bod)- than can be done 
in any other manner, it can be raised higher, and ma}' be 
tempered at pleasure b}^ wetting the face and stomach with 
cold w^ater as occasion requires. 

The method adopted by me, and which has always an- 
s\yered the desired object, is as follows: Take several stones 
of different sizes and put them in the fire till red hot; then 



24 .VEW GUIDE TO HEALTH; OR. 

take the smallest first, and put one of them into a pan or 
kettle of hot water, with the stone about half immersed; the 
patient must be undressed and a blanket put around him so 
as to shield his whole body from the air, and then place him 
over the steam. Change the stones as often as they grow 
cool, so as to keep up a lively steam, and keep them over it; 
if they are faint, throw a little cold water on the face and 
stomach, which will let down the outward heat and restore 
the strength ; after they have been over the steam long- 
enough, which wall generally be about fifteen or twenty 
minutes, they must be washed all over with cold water or 
spirit, and be put in bed, or ma}- be dressed, as the circum- 
stances of the case shall permit. Before the}^ are placed over 
the steam, give a dose of Nos. 2 and 3, or composition, to 
raise the inward heat. When the patient is too weak to 
stand over the steam, it may be done in bed, b}^ heating 
three stones and putting them in water till done hissing; then 
wrap them in a number of thicknesses of cloths wet with wa- 
ter, and put one on each side and one at the feet, occasionall)^ 
wetting the face and stomach with cold water, when faint. 

Mau}^ other plans may be contrived in steaming which 
would make less trouble and be more agreeable to the pa- 
tient, especialh' where the}- are unable to stand over the 
steam . An open worked chair may be made, in w^hich they 
might sit and be steamed very conveniently; or a settee might 
be made in the same manner, in w^hich they might be laid 
and covered with blankets so as to shield them from the sur- 
rounding air. Such contrivances as these would be very 
convenient in cases where the patient would have to be car- 
ried through a course of medicine and steamed a number of 
times, as is frequently neces.sar}-, particularly- in complaints 
that have been of long standing. 

As I have frequently mentioned a regular course of med- 
icine, I will here state what is meant by it, and the most 
proper way in which it is performed. Firstty, give Nos. 2 
and 3, or composition, adding a teaspoonful of No. 6; then 
steam, and when in bed repeat it, adding No. i, which will 
cleanse the stomach and assist in keeping up a perspiration; 
when this has done operating, give an injection made with 



BO TANIC FAMIL } ' PHYSICIAN. 25 

the same articles. Where there are s^'inptoms of nen^ous 
affection, or spasms, put half a teaspoonful of the nerve pow- 
der into each dose given, and into the injection. In violent 
cases, where immediate relief is needed, Nos. i, 2, 3 and 6 
may be given together. Injections may be administered at 
all times, and in all cases of disease, to advantage; it can 
never do harm, and in manj- cases the}- are indispensablj- 
necessary, especially where there is canker and inflammation 
in the bowels, and there is danger of mortification, in which 
case, add a teaspoonful of No. 6. In cases of this kind, the 
injection should be given first, or at the same time of giving 
the composition, or No. 3. The latter is preferable. 

The use of steaming is good in preventing sickness, as 
well as curing it. When a person has been exposed to the 
cold, and is threatened with disease, it may be prevented, 
and long sickness and expense saved, by a very little trouble, 
b}^ standing over a steam and followdng the directions before 
given till the cold is thoroughly thrown off, and a lively per- 
spiration takes place; then go to bed, taking the stone from 
the kettle, and wrap it in wet cloths, and put it to the feet. 
This may be done without the medicine, when it cannot be 
had; but it is much better to take something to raise the in- 
ward heat at the same time. A tea made of mayweed or 
summer-savor}^ or ginger and hot water sweetened, ma}' be 
given, or anything that is warming. This advice is for the 
poor, and those who have not a knowledge of the medicine; 
and will man}- times save them much trouble and long 
sickness. 

Steaming is of the utmost importance in cases of sus- 
pended animation, such as drowned persons; in which case, 
place the body over a moderate steam, shielded b}' a blanket 
from the w^eight of the external air, and rarifying the air 
immediately around them with the steam. Pour into the 
mouth some of the tincture of Nos. i, 2 and 6; and if there 
is au}^ internal heat remains, there will be muscular motion 
about the eyes, and in the extremities. If this symptom ap- 
pears, repeat the dose several times, and renew^ the hot 
stones, raising the heat b}^ degrees; if the outward heat is 
raised too sudden, so as to balance the inward, vou will fail 



26 .VEIV GUIDE TO HEALTH; OR, 

of the desired object even after life appears. This is the onh' 
danger of anj- difficulty taking place; always bear in mind to 
keep the fountain above the stream, or the inward heat above 
the outward, and all will be safe. After life is restored, put 
them in bed and keep the perspiration free for twelve hours, 
by hot stones wrapped in cloths wet with w^ater, and occas- 
ionally giving the tincture as before mentioned, when the 
coldness and obstructions are thrown off, and the patient will 
be in the enjo3'ment of his natural strength. Beware of 
bleeding, or blowing in the mouth with a bellows, as either 
will generally prove fatal. 

In many cases of spotted fever, steaming is as necessary 
as in drowned persons; such as when they fall apparentl}' 
dead; then the same treatment is necessar}- to lighten the 
surrounding air till }'ou can raise the inward heat so as to 
get the determining power to the surface. Begin with a 
small stone, and as life gains, increase the steam as the pa- 
tient can bear it; if the distress is great, give more hot medi- 
cine inside, and as soon as an equilibrium takes place the 
pain will cease. In all cases of this kind, the difficulty can- 
not be removed without applied heat to the body, and is more 
natural b}- steam than b}^ an}' other means that can be made 
use of. In cases of long standing, where the patient has been 
run down with mercury-, and left in a cold and obstructed 
state, liable to rheumatism and other similar complaints, 
they cannot be cured with medicine without applied heat bj^ 
steam, as nothing will remove mercury but heat. 

When a patient is carried through a course of my medi- 
cine and steamed, who has been long under mercurial treat- 
ment; and while under the operation of the steam, when the 
heat is at the highest, the face will swell, in consequence of 
the poisonous vapor being condensed by the air, the face be- 
ing open to it. To relieve this, put them in bed, and take a 
hot stone wrapped in several thicknesses of cloth wet with 
water, pouring on a little vinegar, and making a lively steam; 
put it in the bed and cover the head with the clothes and let 
them breathe the steam as hot as can be borne, until the 
sweat covers the swelled part. This will in about fifteen or 
twenty minutes throw out the poison, and the swelling will 



BOTANIC FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 27 

abate. This method also is of great service in agues and 
teethache caused by cold; and many other cases of obstruc- 
tion from the same cause, especiall}^ young children stuffed 
on the lungs. 

To steam small children, the best way is to let them sit 
in the lap of a person, covering both with a blanket, and sit 
over the steam, pouring a little vinegar on the stone; or it 
may be done in bed with a hot stone, wrapped in cloths wet 
with water, putting on a little vinegar, and covering them 
with the bedclothes laid loosely over them ; but in this way 
you cannot exercise so good judgment in tempering the 
vSteam as when 3'ou are steamed with them. If the child 
appears languid and faint, the outward heat is high enough; 
put a little cold water on the face or breast, which will re- 
store the strength, then rub them with a cloth wet with vin- 
egar, spirit or cold water, put on clean clothes, and put them 
in bed, or let them sit up, as their strength will permit. This 
is safe in all cases of cold and obstructed perspiration. It 
ought alwa3's to be borne strongl}^ in mind to give a child 
drink often when under the operation of medicine, or while 
steaming; if this is not done, they will suffer much, as they 
cannot ask for it. 

In all cases of falls or bruises, steaming is almost in- 
fallible; and is much better than bleeding, as is the common 
practice, which only tends to destroy- life instead of promot- 
ing it. If the person is not able to stand over the steam, it 
must be done in bed, as has been described. Give the hot- 
test medicine inside that 3'ou have, and keep the perspira- 
tion free till the pain and soreness abate and the strength 
will be soon restored. If the advantages of this mode ol 
treatment was generalh^ known, bleeding in such cases, or 
any other, to remove disease would never be resorted to b}' 
the wise and prudent. 

The use of steaming is to apply heat to the body where it 
is deficient, and clear off obstructions caused b}^ cold, which 
the operation of the medicine will not raise heat enough to 
do; for as the natural heat of the body becomes thereb}^ lower 
than the natural state of health, it must by art be raised as 
much above as it has been below; and this must be repeated 



28 NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH; OR, 

until the digestive powers are restored sufficient to hold the 
heat b}^ digesting the food; then the health of the patient 
will be restored b}^ eating and drinking such things as the 
appetite shall require. In this way the medicine removes 
disease, and food, b}^ being properly digested, supports na- 
ture and continues that heat on which life depends 

Some who practice according to my system boast of car- 
rj'ing their patients through in a shorter time without the 
trouble of steaming. This is easily accounted for; steaming is 
the most laborious part of the practice for those who attend 
upon the sick, and the most useful to the patient, as one op- 
eration of steaming will be more effectual in removing dis- 
ease than four courses without it; and to omit it is throw- 
ing the labor upon the patient, with the expense of three or 
four operations more of the medicine than would be needed 
did the person who attends do his duty faithfully. 

ON GIVING POISON AS MEDICINE. 

The practice of giving poison as medicine, which is so 
common among the medical faculty at the present day, is 6t 
the utmost importance to the public; and is a subject that I 
wish to bring home to the serious consideration of the whole 
bod}^ of the people of this countr>^, and enforce in the strong- 
est manner on their minds the pernicious consequences that 
have happened, and are daily taking place, by reason of giv- 
ing mercury, arsenic, nitre, opium and other deadl}^ poisons 
to cure disease. It is admitted by those w^ho make use of 
these things, that the introducing them into the system is 
ver3^ dangerous, and that they often prove fatal. During 
thirt}^ years' practice I have had opportunit}' to gain much 
experience on this subject, and am ready to declare that I 
am perfectl}^ and decidedly convinced, beyond all doubt, that 
there can be no possible good derived from using, in any 
manner or form whatever, those poisons; but, on the other 
hand, there is a great deal of hurt done. More than nine-" 
tenths of the chronic cases that have come under m)^ care 
have been such as had been run down with some one or the 
whole of the above-named medical poisons; and the greatest 



BOTANIC FAMIL Y PHYSICIAN. 29 

difficulty I have had to encounter in removing the complaints 
which my patients labored under has been to clear the sys- 
tem of mercury, nitre, or opium, and bring them back to the 
same state they were in before taking them. It is a very 
easy thing to get them into the system, but ver}^ hard to get 
them out again. 

Those who make use of these things as medicine seem 
to cloak the administering them under the specious pretence 
of great skill and art in preparing and using them ; but this 
kind of covering will not blind the people if they would ex- 
amine it and think for themselves, instead of believing that 
everything said or done by a learned man must be right; for 
poison given to the sick by a person of the greatest skill will 
have exactly the same effect as it would if given by a fool. 
The fact is, the operation of it is diametricall}^ opposed to 
nature, and every particle of it that is taken into the sys- 
tem will strengthen the power of the enemy to health. 

If there should be doubts in the minds of any one of the 
truth of what I have said concerning the articles I have 
named as being poisonous and destructive to the constitution 
and health of man, I will refer them to the works published 
by those who recommend their use; where the}^ will jQnd ev- 
idence enough to satisfy the most credulous of the danger- 
ous consequences and fatal effects of giving them as medi- 
cine. To remove all doubts of their being poison, I will make 
a few extracts from standard medical works, as the best 
testimony that can be given in the case: 

" Muriate of Mercury is one of the most violent poisons 
with which we are acquainted. Externally, it acts as an 
escharotic or a caustic; and in solution it is used for de- 
stroying fungous flesh, and for removing hepatic eruptions; 
but even externally it must be used with very great caution . ' ' 
Yet, reader, this active poison is used as medicine, and by 
being prepared in a different form, and a new name given it, 
calomel, its good qualities are said to be invaluable, and a 
certain cure for almost every disease. 

'* Oxyd of Arsenic is one of the most sudden and violent 
poisons we are acquainted with. In mines, it causes the 
destruction of numbers of those who explore them, and it is 



30 NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH; OR, 

frequentl}^ the instrument b}^ which victims are sacrificed, 
either by the hand of wickedness or imprudence. The fumes 
of arsenic are so deleterious to the lungs, that the artist 
ought to be on his guard to prevent their exhalation b}' the 
mouth; for if they be mixed and swallowed with the saliva, 
effects will take place similar to those which follow its intro- 
duction into the stomach in a saline state; namely, a sensa- 
tion of a piercing, gnawing, and burning kind, accompanied 
with an acute pain in the stomach and intestines, which last 
are violently contorted; convulsive vomiting; insatiable 
thirst, from the parched and rough state of the tongue and 
throat; hiccough, palpitation of the heart and a deadlj^ op- 
pression of the whole breast succeed next; the matter ejected 
by the mouth, as well as the stools, exhibits a black, foetid, 
and putrid appearance. At length, with the mortification of 
the bowels, the pain subsides, and death terminates the suf- 
ferings of the patient." "When the quantitj' is so ver}^ 
small as not to prove fatal, tremors, paralysis and lingering 
hectics succeed. ' ' 

Notwithstanding this terrible description of the fatal ef- 
fects of this article, the author says: " Though the most vi- 
olent of mineral poisons, arsenic, according to Murray, equals, 
when properl}^ administered, the first medicines in the class 
of tonics. " " Of all the diseases, ' ' says Dr. Duncan, ' ' in 
which White Oxyd of Arsenic has been used internall)^ 
there is none in which it has been so frequently and so suc- 
cessfully employed as in the cure of intermittent fevers. 
We have now the most satisfactory information concerning 
this article in the Medical Reports, of the effects of arsenic 
in the cure of agues, remitting fevers, and periodical head- 
aches, by Dr. Fowler, of Stafford." Such are the powers of 
this medicine, that two grains of it are often sufficient to cure 
an intermittent that has continued for weeks! As an ex- 
ternal remedy, arsenic has long been known as the basis of 
the celebrated cancel^ poivders: "Arsenic has ever been ap- 
plied in substance, sprinkled upon the ulcer; but this mode 
of using it is exceedingly painful, and extremely dangerous. 
There have been fatal effects produced from its absorption." 
No other escharotic possesses equal powers in cancerous af- 



BOTANIC FAMILY PHYSICIAX. 31 

fections; it not infrequently amends the discharge, causes the 
sore to contract in size, and cases have been related of its 
having effected a cure. " " But, ' ' sa3^s Dr. Willich, ' ' we are, 
on the combined testimonj' of many medical practitioners, 
conspicuous for their professional zeal and integrity, irresist- 
ibh' induced to declare our opinion, at least, against the in- 
ternal use of this active and dangerous medicine. ' ' 

I shall leave it to the reader to reconcile, if he can, the 
inconsistencies and absurdities of the above statements of 
the effects of ratsbane; and ask himself the question, whether 
it can be possible for aii article, the use of which is attended 
with such consequences, to be in an}' shape or form proper 
to be used as medicine; 3^et it is a well-known fact, that this 
poison is in constant use among the facultj^, and forms the 
principal ingredient in most of those nostrums sold through- 
out the countr}' under the names of drops, powders, washes, 
balsams, etc., and there can be no doubt that thousands 
either die or become miserable invalids in consequence. 

''Antimony, in the modern nomenclature, is the name 
given to a peculiar metal. The antimonial metal is a medi- 
cine of the greatest power of an^^ known substance; a quan- 
tity too minute to be sensible in the most delicate balance is 
capable of producing violent effects if taken dissolved, or in 
a soluble state. " " Sulphureted antimou}' was emploj^ed by 
the ancients in CoUj^ria against inflammation of the eyes, 
and for staining the e^^ebrows black. Its internal use does 
not seem to have been established till the end of the fifteenth 
century; and even at that time it was b}' many looked upon 
as poisonous. ' ' ' 'All the metallic preparations are uncertain, 
as it entirel}' depends on the state of the stomach whether 
the}- have no action at all, or operate with dangerous vio- 
lence. " " The principal general medicinal application of 
antimony has been for the use of febrile affections. ' ' ' 'In the 
latter stage of fever, where debility prevails, its use is inad- 
missible." Of the propriety of using this metal as medi- 
cine, I shall leave it to the reader to judge for himself. 

''Nitre — Salt-Petre. This salt, consisting of nitric acid 
and potash, is found ready formed on the surface of the soil 
in warm climates." " Purified nitre is prescribed with ad- 



32 NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH; OR, 

vantage in numerous disorders. Its virtues are those of a 
refrigerent and diuretic. It is usuall}' given in doses from 
two to three grains to a scruple, being a ver\^ cooling and 
resolvent medicine, which b}^ relaxing the spasmodic rigidity 
of the vessels, promotes not onlj- the secretion of urine, but 
at the same time insensible perspiration in febrile disorders; 
while it allays thirst and abates heat; though in malignant 
cases, in which the pulse is low, and the patient's strength 
exhausted, it produces contrary effects. " " This powerful 
salt, when inadvertenth' taken in too large quantities, is one 
of the most fatal poisons. ' ' For some interesting observ^a- 
tions relative to the deleterious properties of salt-petre, the 
reader is referred to Dr. Mitchell's letter to Dr. Priestly. 

I have found from a series of practical experiments for 
many years, that salt-petre has the most certain and deadly 
effects upon the human system of an}- drug that is used as 
medicine. Although the effects produced by it are not so 
immediately fatal as many others, yet its whole tendency is 
to counteract the principles of life, and destro}^ the operation 
of nature. Experience has taught me that it is the most 
powerful enemy to health, and that it is the most difficult 
opponent to encounter, with any degree of success, that I 
have ever met with. Being in its nature cold, there cannot 
be any other effects produced by it than to increase the 
power of that enemy of heat, and to lessen its necessary in- 
fluence. 

''Opium, when taken into the stomach to such an extent 
as to have any sensible effect, gives rise to a pleasant seren- 
ity of the mind, in general proceeding to a certain degree of 
languor and drowsiness." "It excites thirst and renders 
the mouth dr}^ and parched. " " Taken into the stomach in 
a larger dose, gives rise to confusion of the head and verti- 
go. The powers of all stimulating causes of making im- 
pressions on the body are diminished ; and even at times and 
in situations when a person would naturally be awake, sleep 
is irresistibl}^ induced. In still larger doses, it acts in the 
same manner as the narcotic poisons, giving rise to vertigo, 
headache, tremors, delirium and convulsions; and these 
terminating in a state ef stupor, from which the person can- 



BOTANIC FA MIL Y PHYSICIAN. 33 

not be aroused. This stupor is accompanied with slowness 
of the pulse, and with stertor in breathing, and the scene is 
terminated in death, attended with the same appearances as ' 
take place in an appoplex}-. " "In intermittents it is said to 
have been used with good effect. " " It is often of very great 
service in fevers of the typhoid t>'pe. " "In smallpox, when 
the convulsions before eruption are frequent and considera- 
ble, opium is liberally used." " In cholera and pyrosis, it 
is almost the onl}^ thing trusted to." " The administration 
of opium to the unaccustomed is sometimes very difficult. 
The requisite quantit}- of opium is wonderfulh^ different in 
different persons and in different states of the same person. 
A quarter of a grain will in one adult produce effects which 
ten times the quantity will not do in another. The lowest 
fatal dose to the unaccustomed, as mentioned b}^ authors, 
seems to be four grains; but a dangerous dose is so apt to 
puke, that it has seldom time to occasion death. ' ' 

From the above extracts, it will readih^ be seen that the 
use of opium as medicine is very dangerous, at least, if not 
destructive to health; its advocates, it will be observed, do 
not pretend that it will cure au}^ disorder, but is used as a 
palliative for the purpose of easing pain by destroA^ing sensi- 
bilit}'. Pain is caused b}' disease, and there can be no other 
wa}' to relieve it but by removing the cause. Sleep pro- 
duced b}^ opium is unnatural, and affords no relief to the pa- 
tient, being nothing more than a suspension of his senses; 
and it might with as much propriety be said, that a state of 
delirium is beneficial, for a person in that situation is not 
sensible of pain. The fact is, opium is a poison, and when 
taken into the system, produces no other effect than to 
strengthen the power of the enem}- to health, by deadening 
the . sensible organs of the stomach and intestines, and pre- 
venting them from performing their natural functions, so im- 
portant to the maintaining of health and life. In all the 
cases that have come within my knowledge w^here the pa- 
tient has been long in the habit of taking opium, I have 
found it almost impossible, after removing the disease, to re- 
store the digestive powers of the stomach. 

I have made the foregoing extracts on the subject of 



:U NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH: OR. 

poisons for the purpose of giving a more plain and simple 
view of the pernicious consequences caused by their being 
given as medicine, than I could do in any other manner. In 
this short address, it is impossible to do that justice to the 
subject that I could wish, and which its importance demands; 
but I am not without hope that what is here given will sat- 
isfy evers- candid person who reads it of the truth of those 
principles which it has been at all times my endeavor to in- 
culcate for the benefit of mankind, and convince them that 
what has a tendency to destroy life can never be useful in 
restoring health. 

In support of what has been before said on the use of 
mercur}', I will here give a short extract from Dr. Mann's 
Medical Sketches, which is but a trifle in comparison with 
the many cases that he has gi\-en of the fatal effects of that 
poison: " Calomel should ne\er be administered, unless the 
patient is so situated that the skin may be preserved in its 
natirral warmth. If this is not attended to during its admin- 
istration, either the bowels or the glands of the mouth suf- 
fer. To one of these parts it frequently directed all its 
stimulating powers, and induced in one or the other high de- 
grees of inflammation, which terminated in mortification of 
the intestines, or destruction of not onh' the muscles, but the 
bones of the face. 

' ' Four cases under these formidable effects of mercurial 
ptj^alism w^ere admitted into the general hospital at Lewis- 
town, three of whom died with their jaws and faces dread- 
fulh' mutilated. The fourth recovered with the loss of the 
inferior maxilla one side, and the teeth on the other. He 
lived a most wretched life, deformed in his features, and when 
I last saw the patient, incapable of taking food, except through 
a small aperture in place of his mouth. 

There are several vegetables that grow common in this 
countrs^ which are poisons; and in order that the public may 
be on their guard against using them as medicine, I will 
here give a list of those within my knowledge, viz.: Garden 
Hemlock, Night Shade, Apple Peru, Poppy, Henbane, 
Poke-root, Mandrake-root, Garget- root, Wild Parsnip, Indigo- 
weed, Iv)', Dogwood, Tobacco and Laurel. In case either 



BOTANIC FAMIL Y PHYSICIAX. 35 

of these articles, or any other poison, should.be taken through 
accident, or otherwise, a strong preparation of No. i , with 
a small quantit}- of No. 2, will be found to be a sovereign 
remedy. 

Cases frequently occur in the countr}' of being poisoned 
externally by some of the above vegetable poisons, in which 
the}^ swell ver}- much. When this happens, b}- taking No. 
2, or Composition, and washing wdth the tincture, or the 
third preparation of No. i, relief may be speedily Obtained. 

It is a common thing with the doctors to make use of many 
of the above mentioned vegetable poisons as medicine; but I 
would caution the public against the use of them in any 
way whatever, as they will have no other effect than to in- 
crease the difficult3^ and injure the constitution of the pa- 
tient; being deadly poisons, it is impossible that they can do 
any good. No dumb beast will ever touch them, and the}' 
are correct j udges of what is good for food or medicine. 

Great use is made in many parts of the countr}- of garden 
hemlock, scicuta, and it is recommended by the doctors for 
mau}^ complaints, to be taken or applied externally. I have 
been credibh' informed that large quantities of this article are 
collected and boiled down to a thick substance b}' the people 
in thecountr3^ and sold by them to the doctors and apothe- 
caries. It is well known to be the greatest poison of any veg- 
etable, and was used in ancient times to put criminals to 
death; but this was before it was ever thought of that the 
same article that would cause immediate death when taken 
for that purpose would also cure disease. 

Many persons that pretend to make use of ni}- system of 
practice are in the habit of using some of the vegetables that 
I have mentioned as 'poisonous. I wish the public to under- 
stand that it is entirel}^ unauthorized by me, as there is noth- 
ing in my practice or writings but what is directh' opposed 
to ever3^thing of a poisonous nature being used as a medi- 
cine; for it has always been my aim to ascertain and avoid 
the use of everything except such articles as I knew b}- actual 
experience to be agreeable to nature, and also free from all 
danger or risk in using them to cure disease. I therefore 



3() XBIF GUIDE TO HEALTH; OR, 

caution the public against putting an 3^ confidence in such as 
make use of either vegetable or mineral poison. 

There have been several cases of death published b}' the 
doctors, which they sa}^ were caused by those who practice 
by my system; and from the description the}' have given of 
the treatment, I have good reason to suppose, if there is any 
truth at all in them, were attended b}^ such as I have before 
mentioned, pretending to practice by ni}- system without 
having a correct knowledge of it; and who are tampering 
with ever}' kind of medicine they can find; for there is no 
such treatment of disease as they describe ever been recom- 
mended b}' me, or that can be found in ni}' writings or prac- 
tice. Itisver}' convenient for them, and has become common 
to sa}', when they happen to be successful, it is their own 
great improvements; but when the patient dies, it is then laid 
to the Thomsonian system of practice. This is unjust, and 
ought to be exposed; and I ask all those who have a wish to 
promote the practice to adopt some means to ascertain the 
truth and make it public. 

THE DOCTORS WITHOUT A SYSTEM. 

That the doctors have no system is a fact pretty generally 
acknowledged by themselves; or at least they have none that 
has been fixed upon as a'general rule for their practice. Al- 
most ever}' great man among them has had a system of his own, 
which has been followed by their adherents till some other 
one is brought forward more fashionable. This is undoubt- 
edly a great evil, for it makes everything uncertain; where it 
is constantly changing, there can be no dependence on any 
thing, and the practice must always "be experimental; no 
useful knowledge can be obtained by the young practition- 
ers, as they will be constantly seeking after new theories. 
What should we say of a carpenter who should undertake to 
repair a building without having any rule to work by, and 
should, for want of one, destroy the half of all he undertook 
to repair. The employers would soon lose all confidence in 
him, and dismiss him as an ignorant blockhead. And is it 
not of infinitely more importance for those who undertake to 



i 



BOTANIC FA MIL } ' PH'i 'SICIAX. 37 

repair the human bod}' to have some correct rule to work by? 
Their practice is founded on visionary theories, which are so 
uncertain and contradictory that it is impossible to form any 
correct general rule as a guide to be depended upon. In or- 
der to show the opinions of others as well as my own, I shall 
make a few extracts from late writers on the subject. Speak- 
ing of the revolutions of medicines, one saj^s: 

" We have now noticed the principal revolutions of medi- 
cine; and we plainly perceive that the theory of medicine not 
only has been, but is yet, in an unsettled state; that its prac- 
tical application is wavering, fallacious, and extremely per- 
nicious; and taking a surve}' of the various fortunes of the 
art, we may well say with Bacon, that medicine is a science 
that hath been more professed than labored, andj^et more la- 
bored than advanced, the labor having been in a circle, but 
not in progression. 

' ' Theories are but the butterflies of the day ; the}^ buzz 
for a while and then expire. We can trace for many centu- 
ries past one theory overturning another, yet each in its 
succession promising itself immortality. 

' ' The application of the rules which the practitioner lays 
down to himself is direct, and in their choice no one can 
err with impunit3^ The least erroneous view leads to some 
consequence. We must remember the lives of our fellow - 
creatures are at stake. For how many cruel and premature 
deaths, how many impaired and debilitated constitutions, have 
paid for the foil)' of theories — follies which have proved 
almost alwa3^s fascinating! The study of a system is more 
easy than an investigation of nature; and in practice it seems 
to smooth every difficult}'." 

" In my lectures on the art of physic," says Dr. Ring, 
' ' both theoretical and practical, I have fully proved that there 
is no necessity for that bane of the profession, conjediire or 
hypothesis; and if I were asked whether, if I myself were 
dangerously ill, I would suffer any hypothetical, however 
plausible, physician to prescribe for my malady, my answer 
would be no, assuredly no, unless I wished to risk the loss of 
my life. I could give a remarkable instance of this. 



38 NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH; OR, 

" Speculation and hypothesis are always at variance with 
sound experience and snccessful practiced 

The above extracts evince the pernicious effects of false 
theory and hypothesis, which at the present da^^ constitute 
nearly the whole art of physic. 

The following just remarks are copied from the writings 
of the Rev. John Wesley: 

' ' As theories increased, simple medicines were more and 
more disregarded and disused; till, in a course of years, the 
greater part of them were forgotten, at least in the more po- 
lite nations. In the room of these, abundance of new ones 
were introduced b}^ reasoning, speculative men, and those 
more and more difficult to be applied, as being more remote 
from common observation. Hence rules for the application 
of these, and medical books, were immensely multiplied; till 
at length physic became an abstruse science, quite out of the 
reach of ordinary men. Physicians now began to be held in 
admiration, as persons who were something more than hu- 
man. And profit attended their employ, as well as honor. 
So that the}' had now two weight}- reasons for keeping the 
bulk of mankind at a distance, that they might not pry into 
the mysteries of their profession. To this end they increased 
those difficulties by design, which were in a manner by ac- 
cident. The}^ filled their writings with abundance of tech- 
nical terms, utterly unintelligible to plain men. 

' ' Those who understood only how to restore the sick to 
health, they branded with the name of Empirics. They in- 
troduced into practice abundance of compound medicines, 
consisting of so many ingredients that it was scarce possible 
for common people to know which it was that wrought a 
cure; abundance of exotics, neither the nature nor names 
of which their own countr3'men understood." 

"The histor}^ of the art of medicine in all ages," says 
Dr. Blane, ' ' so teems with the fanciful influence of supersti- 
tious observances, the imaginary virtues of medicines, with 
nugatory, delusive, inefficient, and capricious practices, fal- 
lacious and sophistical reasonings, as to render it little more 
than a chaos of error, a tissue of deceit unworthy of admis- 
sion among the useful arts and liberal pursuits of man." 



BO TANIC FA MIL } ' PHYSICIAN. 39 

DESCRIPTION OF THE VEGETABLE MEDICINE USED IN MY SYS- 
TEM OF PRACTICE. 

In describing those vegetables which I make use of in 
removing disease and restoring the health of the patient, 
agreeably to m}- S3'stem of practice, I shall mention those 
only which I have found most useful bj^ a long series of 
practical knowledge; and in the use of which I have been 
successful in effecting the desired object. K much greater 
number of articles in the vegetable kingdom that are useful 
as medicine might have been described and their medical 
virtues pointed out, if I had thought it would be beneficial; 
in fact, I am confident there are ver>" few vegetable produc- 
tions of our countr}^ that I have not a tolerable good knowl- 
edge of, it having been my principal stud}' for above thirty 
years; but to undertake to describe them all would be useless 
and unprofitable to my readers, and could lead to no good 
result. The plan that I have adopted in describing such ar- 
ticles as I have thought necessary to mention, and giving di- 
rections how to prepare and administer them, is to class them 
under the numbers which form my system of practice ; this 
was thought to be the best wa}^ to give a correct and full un- 
derstanding of the whole subject. Each number is calcu- 
lated to effect a certain object, which is stated in the heading 
to each as they are introduced; every article, therefore, that is 
useful in promoting such objects will be described as appli- 
cable to the number under which it is classed. The three 
first are used to remove disease and the others as restoratives. 
There are a number of preparations and compounds that I 
have made use of and found good in curing various com- 
plaints; the directions for making them, and a description of 
the articles of which the}^ are composed, are given as far as 
was deemed necessary. The manner of appl3dng them will 
be hereafter more particularly stated, when I come to give an 
account of the manner of treating some of the most import- 
ant cases of disease which have come under mv care. 



40 .VBIC GUIDE TO HEALTH; OR. 

No. I. — To cleanse the Stomach, overpower the Cold, and pro- 
mote a Free Perspiration. 

EMETIC HERB. LOBELIA INFLATA OF LIN/EUS. 

In giving a description of this valuable herb, I shall be 
more particular, because it is the most important article made 
use of in my s^^stem of practice, without which it would be 
incomplete, and themedical virtues of which, and the admin- 
istering it in curing disease, I claim as my own discover5^ 
The first knowledge I ever had of it was obtained by acci- 
dent more than fort}^ 3'ears ago, and never had any informa- 
tion whatever concerning it, except what I have gained by 
my own experience. A great deal has been said of late about 
this plant, both in favor and against its utility as a medi- 
cine; but all that the faculty have said or published concern- 
ing it only shows their ignorance on the subject; for there is 
very little truth in what they have stated concerning its med- 
ical properties, except wherein they have admitted it to be a 
certain cure for the asthma, one of the most distressing com- 
plaints that human nature is subject to. It is a truth which 
cannot be disputed b}* any one, that all they have known 
about this article, and the experiments that have been made 
to ascertain its value, originated in my making use of it in my 
practice. 

In the course of my practice, a number of the doctors dis- 
covered that the medicine I made use of produced effects 
which astonished them, and which they could not account 
for; this induced them to conclude that because it was so 
powerful in removing disease it must be poison. This I 
think can be very satisfactoril}- accounted for; they have no 
knowledge of an^- thing in all their medical science which is 
capable of producing a powerful effect upon the human sys- 
tem, except what is poisonous, and therefore naturally form 
their opinions agreeably to this erroneous theory. There is 
a power to produce life, and a power to produce death, which 
are of course directly opposed to each other; and whatever 
tends to promote life cannot cause death, let its power be 
ever so great. In this consists all the difference between my 



BO TANIC FAMIL \ ' PHYSICIAX. 41 

system of practice and that of the learned doctors. In con- 
sequence of their thus forming an erroneous opinion of this 
herb, which they had no knowledge of, they undertook to 
represent it as a deadly poison; and in order to destroy my 
practice, they raised a hue-and-crj^ about my killing my pa- 
tients by administering it to them. Some of the faculty even 
made oath that it was poison, and when taken into the stom- 
ach, if it did not cause immediate vomiting, it was certain 
death. . It is unnecessary for me now to point out the falsity 
of this, for the fact is prett}- well known that there is no 
death in it; but, on the contrar}-, that there is no vegetable 
that the earth produces more harmless in its effects on the 
human system, and none more powerful in removing disease 
and promoting health. 

There is no mention made of this herb by any author, 
that -I have been able to find, previous to my discovering it, 
excepting by Linseus, who has given a correct description of 
it under the name of Ivobelia Infiata ; but there is nothing 
said of its medical properties; it is therefore reasonable to 
conclude that they were not known till I discovered it, and 
proved it to be useful. When the faculty- first made the dis- 
covery that I used the Emetic Herb in my practice, they de- 
clared it to be a deadly poison ; and while persecuting me by 
every means m their power, and representing to the world 
that I killed my patients with it, the}- were very ready to call 
it m}^ medicine, and allow it to be ni}- own discover}^; but 
since their ignorance of it has been exposed, and thej^ find it 
is going to become an article of great value, an attempt seems 
to be making to rob me of all the credit for causing its value 
to be known, and the profits which belong to me for the dis- 
covery. In which some who have been instructed by me 
are ready to join, for the purpose of promoting their own 
interest at my expense. 

Dr. Thacher, in his Dispensatory, has undertaken to give 
an account of this herb; but is ver}- erroneous, except in the 
description of it, which is nearly correct. It appears that all 
the knowledge he has on the subject as to its virtues, is 
borrowed from others, and is probabl}- derived from the rid- 
iculous ideas entertained of its power b}' those doctors who 



42 .VEU^' GUIDE TO HEALTH; OR, 

knew nothing about it, except what the}^ gained by my making 
UvSe of it, as has been before stated. As to its being danger- 
ous to administer it, and that if it does not puke it frequent^ 
destroj^s the patient, and sometimes in five or six hours; and 
that even horses and cattle have been supposed to be killed 
by eating it accidentally, is as absurd as it is untrue, and 
only proves their ignorance of the article. He tells a melan- 
choly storj' about the Lobelia Inflata being administered by 
the adventurous hand of a noted empiric, who, he says, fre- 
quently administered it in a dose of a teaspoonful of the pow- 
dered leaves, and often repeated; which, he sa5^s, furnishes 
alarming examples of its deleterious properties and fatal ef- 
fects. This, there is no doubt, alludes to me, and took its 
rise from the false statements circulated about me at the time 
of my trial, to prejudice the public against m}^ practice. It 
is true the dose that I usuallj^ prescribe is a teaspoonful of the 
powder; but that it ever produced an 3^ fatal effect is altogether 
incorrect, and is well known to be so by all who have any 
correct knowledge on the subject. 

What is quoted in the Dispensator>% from the Rev. Dr. M. 
Cutler, concerning this herb, is, in general, correct, particu- 
larh^ as it regards its being a specific for the asthma; though 
he labored under man}- mistaken notions about its effects 
when taken into the stomach. He says: ' ' If the quantity be 
a little increased, it operates as an emetic, and then as a ca- 
thartic, its effects being much the same as those of the com- 
mon emetics and cathartics. ' ' In this he is mistaken, for 
it is entirel}' different from an}' other emetic known; and as 
to its operating as a cathartic, I never knew it to have such 
an effect in all my practice. And I certainly ought to know 
something about it, after having made use of it for above 
twenty years, and administering it in ever>^ form and man- 
ner that it can be given, and for every disease that has come 
within my knowledge. It appears that all the knowledge 
he and other doctors have got of this herb being useful in 
curing disease, particularly in the asthma, was obtained from 
me; for when I w^as prosecuted, I was obliged to expose my 
discoveries to show the falsity of the indictment. Dr. Cut- 
ler was brought forward as a witness at my trial, to prove 



BOTAXIC FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 43 

the virtues of this plant bj^ his evidence that he cured him- 
self of the asthma with it. He saj^s the first information he 
had of its being good for that complaint was from Dr. Drur3' , 
of Marblehead. In the fall of the year, 1807, I introduced 
the use of the Emetic Herb, tinctured in spirit, for the asth- 
ma and Other complaints of the lungs, and cured several of 
the consumption. In 1808, I cured a woman in Newington 
of the asthma, who had not laid in her bed for six months. 
I gathered some of the young plants not bigger than a dol- 
lar, bruised them, and tinctured them in spirits, gave her the 
tincture, and she la}'' in bed the first night. I showed her 
what it was, and how to prepare and use it, and b}' taking 
this and other things according to my direction, she has en- 
joyed a comfortable state of health for twelve years, and has 
never been obliged to sit up one night since. The same fall 
I used it in Beverly and Salem; and there can be no doubt 
but all the information concerning the value of this article 
was obtained from mj^ practice. 

After Dr. Cutler had given his testimony of the virtues of 
this herb, and the doctors having become convinced of its 
value, they come forw^ard and say it is good medicine in skil- 
ful hands. Who, I would ask, is more skilful than he who 
discovered it, and taught them how to prepare and use it in 
curing one of the most distressing complaints known? If it 
is a good medicine, it is mine, and I am entitled to the credit 
of introducing it into use, and have paid dear for it; if it is 
poison, the doctors do not need it, as the}'' have enough of 
that now. Dr. Thacher undertakes to make it appear that 
the fatal effects he tells about its producing, were owing to the 
quantity given; and says I administered a teaspoonful of the 
powder; and when he comes to give directions for using it, 
says that from ten to twenty grains may be given with safe- 
ty. It appears strange that different terms should produce 
such different effects in the operation of medicine. If a tea- 
spoonful is given by an empiric, its effects are fatal; but if 
the same quantity is administered by a learned doctor, and 
called grains, it is a useful medicine. 

This herb is described in Thacher 's Dispensatory under 
the names of Lobelia Inflata, Lobelia Emetica, Emetic Weed, 



44 A'£IV GUIDE TO HEALTH; OR. 

and Indian Tobacco; and several other names have been giv- 
en it, some by way of ridicule, and others for the purpose of 
creating a prejudice against it; all of which has so confound- 
ed it with other articles that there is a difficult}- in ascertain- 
ing what they mean to describe. I have been informed that 
there is a poisonous root grows in the Southern States called 
lyobelia, which has been vised as a medicine; the calling this 
herb by that name has probabl}^ been one reason of its be- 
ing thought to be poison. Why it has had the name of In- 
dian Tobacco given it, I know not; there is a plant that is 
called by that name, which grows in this countr}-, but it is 
entirel}^ different from this herb, both in appearance and med- 
ical virtues. In the United States Pharmacopoeia, there are 
directions given for preparing the tincture of Indian Tobac- 
co; whether the}' mean this herb or the plant that has been 
always called b}- that name, does not appear; but it is prob- 
able they mean the Emetic Herb, and that all the knowl- 
edge they have of it is from Dr. Cutler's description. It is 
said hy Thacher that it was employed b}' the aborigines 
and by those who deal in Indian remedies; and others who 
are attempting to rob me of the discover}- affect to believe 
the same thing; but this is founded altogether upon conject- 
ure, for they cannot produce a single instance of its having 
been employed as a medicine till I made use of it. The fact 
is, it is a new article, wholly unknown to the medical fac- 
ulty till I introduced it into use, and the best evidence of this 
is that they are now ignorant of its powers; and all the 
knowledge they have of it has been obtained from my prac- 
tice. It would be folly for me to undertake to say but that 
it may have been used by the natives of this country ; but one 
thing I am certain of, that I never had any knowledge of 
their using it, nor ever received any information concerning 
it from them, or any one else. 

The Emetic Herb may be found in the first stages of its 
growth at all times through the summer, from the bigness of 
a six-cent piece to that of a dollar, and larger, lying flat on 
the ground, in a round form, like a rose pressed flat, in order 
to bear the weight of snow which lies on it during the win- 
ter, and is subject to be winter-killed, like wheat. In the 



BOTANIC FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 45 

Spring it looks yellow and pale, like other things suffering 
from wet and cold; but when the returning sun spreads forth 
its enlivening rays upon it, it lifts up its leaves and shoots 
forth a stalk to the height of from twelve to fifteen inches with 
a number of branches, carrying up its leaves with its 
growth. In July it puts forth small, pointed, pale blue blos- 
soms, which are followed by small pods about the size of a 
white bean, containing numerous very small seeds. This 
pod is an exact resemblance of the human stomach, having 
an inlet and outlet higher than the middle; from the inlet it 
receives nourishment, and by the outlet discharges the seeds. 
It comes to maturit}^ about the first of September, when the 
leaves and pods turn a little 3'ellow; this is the best time to 
gather it. It is what is called by botanists a biennial plant, 
or of only two 3- ears' existence. 

This plant is common in all parts of this country. Wher- 
ever the land is fertile enough to ^deld support for its inhab- 
itants it ma\^ be found. It is confined to no soil which is fit 
for cultivation, from the highest mountains to the lowest 
valleys. In hot and wet seasons it is most plenty on dry 
and warm lands ; in hot and dry seasons on cla>^ey and heaw 
lands. When the season is cold, either wet or dr}-, it rarel}' 
makes its appearance; and if the summer and fall are ver}^ dry 
the seed does not come up, and of course there will be ver>" 
little to be found the next season. I have been in search of 
this herb from Boston to Canada, and was not able to collect 
more than two pounds; and in some seasons I have not been 
able to collect an3'. I mention this to show^ the uncertaint\^ 
of its growth, and to put the people on their guard to be care- 
ful and laj^ up a good stock of it when plenty. In the year 
1 807 , if I had offered a reward of one thousand dollars for a 
pound of this herb, I should not have been able to have ob- 
tained it. I have seen the time that I would have given two 
dollars for an ounce of the powder, but there was none to be 
had; which necessit}" taught me to la}^ up all I could obtain 
w^hen it was plenty. 

In seasons when this herb is plent^^ it ma}^ be found 
growing in highwaj^s and pastures; by the side of old turn- 
pikes, and to stubble land, particularly w'here it has been 



46 XEir GUIDE TO HEALTH; OR, 

laid down in grass the 3^ear before; when grass is scarce, it is 
eaten by cattle, and is hard to be found when full grown. It 
is a wild plant, and a native of this country; but there is no 
doubt of its being common to other countries. It may be 
transplanted and cultivated in gardens, and will be much 
larger and more vigorous than when growing wild. If some 
stalks are left, it will sow itself, and probabl}' may be pro- 
duced from the seed; but how long the seeds remain in the 
ground before they come up, I do not know, never having 
made any experiments to ascertain the fact. It is certain 
that it is produced from the seed, and there is no good reason 
to suppose that it may not be cultivated in gardens from the 
seed as well as other vegetables. I think it most probable, 
however, from the nature of the plant, that it will not come 
up till the seeds have laid at least one winter in the ground. 

This plant is different in one very important particular 
from all others that I have a knowledge of, that the same 
quantity will produce the same effect in all stages of its 
growth, from its first appearance till it comes to maturity; 
but the best time for gathering it, as has before been men- 
tioned, isw^hen the leaves and pods begin to turn yellow, for 
then the seed is ripe, and you have all there can be of it. It 
should then be cut and kept clean, and spread in a large 
chamber or loft to dry, where it is open to the air in the day 
time, and to be shut from the damp air during the night. 
When perfectly dry, shake out the seed and sift it through a 
common meal sieve, and preserve it by itself; then beat off 
the leaves and pods from the stalks, and preserve them clean. 
This herb may be prepared for use in three different ways: 
viz: I St. The powdered leaves and pods. 2d. A tincture 
made from the green herb with spirit. 3d. The seeds re- 
duced to a fine powder and compounded with Nos. 2 and 6. 

I . After the leaves and pods are separated from the stalks, 
pound or grind them in a mortar to fine powder, sift it 
through a fine sieve, and preserve it from the air. This is 
the most common preparation, and may be given in many 
different ways, either by itself or compounded with other ar- 
ticles. For a common dose, take a teaspoonful of this pow- 
der with the same quantity of sugar in half a teacupful of 



BO TANIC FAMIL J ' PHYSICIAN. 47 

warm water, or a tea of No. 3 may be used instead of the 
water; this dose ma}^ be taken all at one time, or at three 
times, at inter^'als often minutes. For a young child, strain 
off the liquor and give a part,, as circumstances shall require. 
There is but one wa}^ in which this herb can be prepared 
that it will refuse its services, and that is when boiled or 
scalded; it is therefore important to bear in mind that there 
must never be anything put to it warmer than a blood heat. 

2. To prepare the tincture, take the green herb in any 
stage of its growth; if the small plants are used, take roots 
and all; put them into a mortar and pound them fine, then 
add the same quantit}- of good spirits; when well pounded 
and worked together, strain it through a fine cloth, and 
squeeze and press it hard to get out all the juice; save the 
liquor in bottles, close stopped, for use. Good vinegar or 
pepper-sauce may be used instead of the spirit. Prepared in 
this manner, it is an effectual counter-poison, either taken, 
or externall}' applied. It is also an excellent medicine for 
the asthma, and all complaints of the lungs. This is the only 
way in which the doctors have made use of the Emetic Herb; 
and the}^ acknowledge it to be one of the best remedies in 
many complaints that have been found, though they know 
but little about it. For a dose, take from half to a teaspoon- 
ful. Its effects wall be more certain if about the same quan- 
tity of No. 2 is added, and in all cases where there are nerv- 
ous symptoms, add half a teaspoonful of ner\'e powder, Um- 
bil, to the dose. 

3. Reduce the seeds to a fine powder in a mortar, and 
take half an ounce of this powder, or about a large spoonful, 
with the same quantity of No. 2 made fine, and put them in 
a gill of No. 6. adding a teaspoonful of Umbil; to be kept 
close stopped in a bottle for use; when taken, to be w^ell 
shaken together. This preparation is for the most violent 
attacks of disease, such as lockjaw, bite of mad dog, drowmed 
persons, fits, spasms, and in all cases of suspended animation, 
where the vital spark is nearly extinct. It w411 go through 
the system like electricit}^ giving heat and life to ever3'part. 
In cases where the spasms are so violent that the}^ are stifi", 
and the jaws become set, by pouring some of this liquid into 



48 .VEW GUIDE TO HEALTH; OR, 

the mouth between the cheek and teeth, as soon as it touches 
the glands at the roots of the tongue the spasms will relax, 
and the jaws will become loosened so that the mouth will 
open; then give a dose of it, and as soon as the spasms have 
abated, repeat it, and afterwards give a tea of No. 3, for 
canker. This course I never knew fail of giving relief. It 
is good in less violent cases, to bring out the measles and 
smallpox, and if applied to pimples, warts, etc., will remove 
them. I have cured three dogs with this preparation, who 
were under the most violent symptoms of h3^drophobia; one 
of my agents cured a man with it who had been bitten by a 
mad dog; and I have not the least doubt of its being a spe- 
cific for that disease. For a dose, take ateaspoonful. 

Much has been said of the power of the Emetic Herb, and 
.some have expressed fears of it on that account; but I can 
assure the public that there is not the least danger in using 
it; I have given it to children from one day old to persons of 
eighty years. It is most powerful in removing disease, but 
innocent on nature. Its operation in different persons is ac- 
cording to their different tempers, moving with the natural 
current of the animal spirits. There are two cases where this 
medicine will not operate, viz. : when the patient is dying, 
and where there is no death; or in other words, when there 
is no disease. There can be no war where there is no enemy. 
When there is no cold in the body there is nothing to con- 
tend against, and when there is no heat in the body there is 
nothing to kindle; in either case, therefore, this medicine is si- 
lent and harmless. It is calculated to remove the cause and 
no more, as food removes hunger, and drink thirst. It clears 
all obstructions to the extremities, without regard to names 
of disease, until it produces an equilibrium in the system, 
and will be felt in the fingers and toes, producing a prickling 
feeling like that caused b}^ a knock of the elbow; this symp- 
tom is alarming to those unacquainted with its operation; 
but is always favorable, being a certain indication of the turn 
of the disorder, and they generally gain from that time. 

In regard to the quantity to be given as a dose, it is mat- 
ter of less consequence than is generally imagined. The 
most important thing is to give enough to produce the de- 



BOTANIC FAMILY PHY SI CI AX. 49 

sired effect. If too little is given, it will worry the patient, 
and do little good; if more is given than what is necessary, 
the surplus will be thrown off, and is a waste of medicine. I 
have given directions what I consider as a proper dose in 
common cases of the different preparations, but still it must 
be left to the judgment of those who use it how much to 
give. The most safe wa}^ will be to give the smallest pre- 
scribed dose first, then repeat it till it produce the wished 
operation. In cases where the stomach is cold and verj- 
foul, its operation will be slow and uncertain; in which case 
give No. 2, which w^ill assist it in doing its w^ork. See also 
under general directions in curing or preventing disease. 

When this medicine is given to patients that are in a de- 
cline, or are laboring under a disease of long standing, the 
symptoms indicating a crisis will not take place till they have 
been carried through from three to eight courses of the med- 
icine; and the lower thc}^ have been the more alarming will 
be the symptoms. I have seen some who would lie and sob 
like a child who had been punished, for two hours, not able 
to speak or to raise their hand to their head; and the next 
day be about, and soon get well. In cases where they have 
taken considerable opium, and this medicine is administered, 
it will in its operation produce the same appearances and 
symptoms that are produced b}- opium when first given, which, 
having laid dormant, is roused into action by the enlivening 
qualities of this medicine, and the3^ will be thrown into a 
senseless state; the whole system will be one complete mass 
of confusion, tumbling in every direction; will take two or 
three to hold them on the bed; they grow cold as though dy- 
ing, remaining in this way from two to eight hours, and then 
awake, like one from sleep after a good night's rest, be en- 
tirely calm and sensible, as though nothing had ailed them. 
It is seldom they ever have more than one of these turns, as 
it is the last struggle of the disease, and they generally begin 
to recover from that time. I have been more particular in 
describing these effects of the medicine, as they are very 
alarming to those unacquainted with them, in order to show 
that there is no danger to be apprehended, as it is certain 
evidence of a favorable turn of the disease. 



50 XEIF GUIDE TO HEALTH; OR. 

The Emetic Herb is of great value in preventing sickness 
as well as curing it. By taking a dose when first attacked by 
any complaint it will throw it off, and frequently prevent 
long sickness. It not onl}- acts as an emetic, and throws off 
the stomach everything that nature does not require for sup- 
port of the system, but extends its effects to every part of 
the bod^^ It is searching, enlivening, quickening, and has 
a great power in removing all obstructions; but it soon ex- 
hausts itself, and if not followed by some other medicine to 
hold the vital heat till nature is able to support itself by di- 
gesting the food, it will not be sufficient to remove a disease 
that has become seated. To effect this important object put 
me to much trouble, and after trying man}- experiments to 
get something that would answer the purpose, I found that 
what is described under No. 2 was the best and only medi- 
cine I have a knowledge of that would hold the heat in the 
stomach and not evaporate; and b}^ giving No. 3 to remove 
the canker, which is the great cause of disease, and then fol- 
lowing with Nos. 4 and 5 to correct the bile, restore the di- 
gestion, and strengthen the system, I have had little trouble 
in effecting a cure. For directions for preparing, etc., see 
further on in this w^ork. 



No. 2. — To retain the internal vital heat of the system and cause 
a free perspiration. 

CAYENNE.— Capsicum. 

This article being so well known, it will be unnecessary 
to be very particular in describing it. It has been a long- 
time used for culinary purposes, and comes to us prepared 
for use by being ground to pow^der, and a proportion of salt 
mixed with it; this destroys in some degree its stimulating 
effects and makes it less pungent; but it is not so good for 
medicine as in the pure state. It is said to be a native of 
South America, and is cultivated in many of the West India 
Islands. That which comes to this country is brought from 
Demarara and Jamaica. It also grows in other parts of the 
world. I once bought one hundred pounds of it in the pod, 



BO TAXIC FAMIL } ' PH^ 'SICIAX. ol 

which was brought from the Coast of Guinea; had it ground at 
Portsmouth, and it was as good as au}^ I ever used. There are 
several species that are described under the name of Capsi- 
cum, all of which are about the same as to their stimulating 
qualities. The pods only are used; they are long and pointed, 
are of a green color till ripe, when they turn of a bright or- 
ange-red. When the pods are green the}' are gathered and 
preserved in salt and water and brought to this country in 
bottles, when vinegar is put to them, which is sold under the 
name of pepper-sauce. The ripe pods ground to n powder 
are w^hat is used for medicine and cooking; but the pepper- 
sauce is ver}' good to be taken as medicine and applied ex- 
ternally; the green pods hold their attracting power till ripe, 
and therefore keep their strength much longer when put in 
vinegar, as the bottle may be filled up a number of times and 
the strength seems to be the same; but when the ripe pods 
are put in vinegar, the first time will take nearly all the 
strength. 

I shall not undertake to dispute but that cayenne had 
been used for medical purposes long before I had any knowl- 
edge of it, and that it is one of the safest and best articles 
ever discovered to remove disease, I know to be a fact, from 
long experience; but it is equalh- true that the medical fac- 
ult}' never considered it of much value, and the people had 
no knowledgeof it as a medicine till I introduced it, b}' mak- 
ing use of it in ni}' practice. Mention is made of cayenne 
in the Edinburgh Dispensator}', as chiefly employed for cul- 
inary purposes, but that of late it has been emploA'cd also in 
the practice of medicine. The author says that " there can 
be little doubt that it furnishes one of the purest and strong- 
est stimulants which can be introduced into the stomach; 
while at the same time it has nothing of the narcotic effects 
of ardent spirits. It is said to have been used with success 
in curing some cases of disease that had resisted all other 
remedies." All this I am satisfied is true, for if given as a 
medicine it always will be found useful ; but all the knowl- 
edge they had of it seems to have been derived from a few 
experiments that had been made, without fixing upon an}- 
particular manner of preparing or administering it, or in what 



52 NBJV GUIDE TO HEALTH; OR, 

disease, as is the case with all other articles that are intro- 
duced into general practice. In Thacher's Dispensator}^ the 
same account is given of cayenne as in the Edinburgh, and 
in almost the same words. 

I never had any knowledge of cayenne being useful as a 
medicine, or that it had ever been used as such, till I dis- 
covered it b}' accident, as has been the case with most other 
articles used by me. After I had fixed upon a system for 
my government in practice, I found much difficult}^ in get- 
ting something that would not only produce a strong heat in 
the body, but would retain it till the canker could be re- 
moved and the digestive powers restored, so that the food, 
by being properly digested, would maintain the natural heat. 
I tried a great number of articles that were of a hot nature, 
but could find nothing that would hold the heat any length 
of time. I made use of ginger, mustard, horseradish, pep- 
permint, butternut bark, and many other hot things, but 
they were all more or less volatile, and would not ha\'e the 
desired effect. With these, however, and the Emetic Herb, 
together with the aid of steam, I was enabled to practice 
with pretty general success. In the fall of the year 1805, I 
was out in search of Umbil on a mountain in Walpole, N. 
H. I went into a house at the foot of the mountain to in- 
quire for some rattlesnake oil. While in the house I saw a 
large string of red peppers hanging in the room, which put 
me in mind of what I had been a long time in search of to 
retain the internal heat. I knew them to be ver^^ hot, but 
did not know of what nature. I obtained these peppers, 
carried them home, reduced them to powder, and took some 
of the powder m3\self, and found it to answer the purpose 
better than anything else I had made use of I put it in 
spirit with the Emetic Herb, and gave the tincture mixed 
in a tea of witch-hazel leaves, and found that it would retain 
the heat in the stomach after puking, and preserve the 
strength of the patient in proportion. I made use of it in 
different ways for two years, and always with good success. 

In the fall of 1808, I was in Newbur3^port, and saw a 
bottle of pepper-sauce, being the first that I had ever seen. 
I bouoht it and carried it home; got some of the same kind 



BO TAXIC FAMIL Y PH\ 'SICIAX. 53 

of pepper that was dried, which I put into the bottle; this 
made it ver\' hot. On my wa}^ home, was taken unwell, 
and was quite cold. I took a swallow from the bottle, which 
caused violent pain for a few minutes, when it produced per- 
spiration, and I soon grew easy. I afterwards tried it and 
found that after it had expelled the cold, it would not cause 
pain. From these experiments I became convinced that 
this kind of pepper was much stronger, and would be better 
for medical use than the common red pepper. Soon after 
this I was again in Newburyport, and made inquiry, and 
found someca3'enne, but it was prepared with salt for table 
use, which injured it for medical purposes. I tried it by 
tasting, and selected that which had the least salt in it. I 
afterwards made use of this article and found it to answer all 
the purposes wished, and was the ver}- thing I had long been 
in search of. The next year I went to Portsmouth, and 
made inquiries concerning caj^enne, and from those who 
dealt in the article, I learned that it was brought to this 
countr}'- from Demarara and Jamaica, prepared onh' for table 
use, and that salt was put with it to preserve it and make it 
more palatable. I became acquainted with a French gentle- 
man who had a brother in Demarara, and made arrange- 
ments with him to send to his brother and request him to 
procure some, and have it prepared without salt. He did so, 
and sent out a box containing about eight}^ pounds in a pure 
state. I sent also by man}- others that were going to the 
places where it grows to procure all they could: in conse- 
quence of which large quantities were imported into Ports- 
mouth, much more than there was immediate demand for. 
I was not able to purchase but a small part of what was 
brought, and it was bought up b}- others on speculation, and 
sent to Boston. The consequence was that the price was so 
much reduced that it would not bring the first cost, which 
put a stop to its being imported, and it has since been ver}^ 
scarce. 

When I first began to use this article it caused much talk 
among the people in Portsmouth and the adjoining towns. 
The doctors tried to frighten them by telling that I made use 
of cayenne pepper as a medicine, and that it would burn up 



54 ^'£JV GUIDE TO HEALTH; OR. 

the stomach and kings as bad as vitriol. The people gen- 
erall}^ however, became convinced by using it that all the 
doctors said about it was false, and it onl}' proved their ig- 
norance of its medicinal virtues and their malignit}- towards 
me. It soon came into general use, and the knowledge of 
its being useful in curing disease was spread all through the 
country. I made use of it in curing the spotted fever, and 
where it was known, it was the only thing depended on for 
that disease. I have made use of cayenne in all kinds of 
disease, and have given it to patients of all ages and under 
every circumstance that has come under my practice, and 
can assure the public that it is perfecth' harmless, never 
having know^n it to produce any bad effects whatever. It is 
no doubt the most powerful stimulant known; its power is 
entirely congenial to nature, being powerful only in raising 
and maintaining that heat on which life depends. It is ex- 
tremely pungent, and when taken sets the mouth as it were 
on fire; this lasts, however, but a few minutes, and I consid- 
er it essentially a benefit, for its effects on the glands causes 
the saliva to flow freely and leaves the mouth clean and 
moist. 

The only preparation necessary is to have it ground or 
pounded to a fine pow^der. For a dose, from half to a tea- 
spoonful ma}^ be taken in hot water sweetened, or the same 
quantity may be mixed with either of the other numbers 
when taken. It will produce a free perspiration, which 
should be kept up by repeating the dose until the disease is 
removed. A spoonful, with an equal quantity of common 
salt, put into a gill of vinegar, makes a very good sauce to 
be eaten on meat, and will assist the appetite aud strengthen 
the digesture. One spoonful of this preparation may be taken 
to good advantage, and will remove faint, sinking feelings, 
which some are subject to, especialh' in the spring of the 
year. Pepper-sauce is good for the same purpose. A tea- 
spoonful of cayenne pepper may be taken in a tumbler of 
cider, and is much better than ardent spirits. There is 
scarce any preparation of medicine that I make use of in 
which I do not put some of this article. It will cure the 
ague in the face, by taking a dose, and W\n% a small quan- 



no TAXIC FA JUL J ' /Wl \SICIAX. 55 

tity in fine cloth, and put it between the cheek and teeth, 
on the side that is affected, sitting by the fire covered with 
a blanket. It is good to put on old sores. 

RED PEPPERS. 

These are very plent}^ in this country, being cultivated in 
gardens, and are principally made use of for pickling: for 
which purpose the pods are gathered when green, and pre- 
ser\'ed in vinegar. It is of the same nature as cayenne 
pepper, but not so strong; and is the best substitute for that 
article of an3'thing I have ever found. For medical use 
they should not be gathered till ripe, when they are of a 
bright red color; should be reduced to a fine powder, and 
ma}' be used instead of cayenne, when that article cannot be 
obtained. 

GINGER. 

This is a root which is brought from foreign countries, 
and is too well known to need anj^ further description. It is 
a ver\' good article, having a warming and agreeable effect 
on the stomach. It is a powerful stimulant, and is not 
volatile like man}- other hot articles; and is the next best 
thing to raise the inward heat and promote perspiration; and 
may be used with good success for that purpose, as a sub- 
stitute for cayenne, when that or the red peppers cannot be 
had. It is sold in the shops ground, but is sometimes 
mixed with the other articles to increase the quantity, and is 
not so strong. The best way is to get the roots and grind 
or pound them to a fine powder. The dose must be regu- 
lated according to circumstances; if given to raise the internal 
heat and cause perspiration, it must be repeated till it has the 
desired effect. It makes a good poultice, mixed w^th pounded 
cracker or slippery-elm bark, for which I make much use of it. 
To keep a piece of the root in the mouth and chew it like 
tobacco, swallowing the juice, is very good for a cough, and 
those of a consumptive habit; and this should also be done 
by all who are exposed to any contagion, or are attending on 
the sick, as it will guard the stomach against taking the dis- 



56 A'EM' GUIDE TO HEALTH; OR, 

ease. It ma}' be taken in hot water, sweetened, or in a tea of 
No. 3. 

BLACK PEPPER. 

This may be used to good advantage as a substitute for 
the foregoing articles when the}- are not to be had, and may 
be prepared and administered in the same manner. These 
four that I have mentioned are all the articles that I have 
been able to find that would hold the heat of the bod}^ for 
any length of time; all the others that I have tried are so 
volatile that they do little good. See under directions for 
preparing and using vegetable medicine. 



No. 3. — To scour the Stomach and Bowels, and remove the 

Canker. 

Under this head I shall describe such vegetable produc- 
tions as are good for canker, and which I have found to be 
best in removing the thrush from the throat, stomach and 
bowels caused b}^ cold, and there will be more or less of it in 
all cases of disease ; for when cold gets the power over the 
inward heat, the stomach and bowels become coated with 
canker, which prevents those numerous little vessels calcu- 
lated to nourish the system from performing their dut}-. A 
cure, therefore, cannot be effected without removing this 
difiiculty; which must be done by such things as are best 
calculated to scour off the canker and leave the juices flowing 
free. There are many articles which are good for this, but I 
shall mention only such as I have found to be the best. Sev- 
eral things that are used for canker are too binding, and do 
more hurt than good, as the}- cause obstructions. I have 
adopted a rule to ascertain what is good for canker, which I 
have found very useful, and shall here give it as a guide for 
others; that is, to chew some of the article, and if it causes 
the saliva to flow freel)^ and leaves the mouth clean and 
moist, it is good; but, on the other hand, if it dries up the 
juices, and leaves the mouth rough and dr}-, it is bad, and 
should be avoided. 



BOTAXIC FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 57 

BAYBERRY, OR CANDLEBERRY. 

This is a species of the in3'rtle, from which wax is ob- 
tained from the berries, and grows common in many parts 
of this country. It is a shrub growing from two to four feet 
high, and is easily known b}- the berries which it produces 
annually, containing wax in abundance. These grow on the 
branches close to them, similar to the juniper. The leaves are 
of a deep green. The bark of the roots is what is used for 
medicine, and should be collected in the spring, before it 
puts forth its leaves, or in the fall, after done growing, as 
then the sap is in the roots; this should be attended to in 
gathering all kinds of medicinal roots; but those things that 
the tops are used should be collected in the summer when 
nearly full grown, as then the sap is in the top. The roots 
should be dug and cleaned from the dirt, and pounded with a 
mallet or club, when the bark is easily separated from the 
stalk, and ma}' be obtained with little trouble. It should be 
dried in a chamber or loft, where it is not exposed to the 
weather; and, when perfectly dr}-, should be ground or pound- 
ed to a fine powder. It is an excellent medicine, either taken 
b}^ itself or compounded with other articles; and is the best 
thing for canker of an}' article I have ever found. It is 
highl}^ stimulating and very pungent, pricking the glands 
and causing the saliva and other juices to flow freely. Is 
good used as tooth powder, cleanses the teeth and gums, and 
removes the scurvy. Taken as snuff, it clears the head and 
relieves the headache. It may be given to advantage in a 
relax, and all disorders of the bowels. When the stomach 
is very foul, it will frequently operate as an emetic. For a 
dose, take a teaspoonful in hot Avater, sweetened. 

WHITE POND LILY.— The Root. 

This is well known from the beautiful flower which it 
bears, opening only to the sun, and closing again at night. 
It grows in fresh- water ponds, and is common in all parts of 
this country where I have been. The best time to gather it 
is in the fall of the year, when dry, and the water in the 



58 JVEW GUIDE TO HEALTH; OR, 

ponds low, as it may then be obtained with little difficulty. 
It has large roots, which should be dug, washed clean, split 
into strips, and dried, as has been directed for the bayberry 
root bark. When perfectly dr}', it should be pounded in a 
mortar, and preserved for use. This article is a ver)^ good 
medicine for canker, and all complaints of the bowels, given 
in a tea alone, or mixed with other articles. 

HEMLOCK— The Inner Bark. 

This is the common hemlock tree, and grows in all parts 
of New England. The best for medicine is to peel the bark 
from the young tree, and shave the ross from the outside, 
and preserve only the inner rind; dr>^ it carefully, and 
pound or grind it to a pow^der. A tea made by putting boil- 
ing water to this bark is a good medicine for canker, and 
many other complaints. The first of m^- using hemlock 
bark as medicine was in 1814. Being in want of something 
for canker, I tried some of it by chewing, and found it to 
answer, and made use of it to good advantage. Since then, 
have been in constant use of it, and have always found it a 
very good medicine, both for canker and other complaints of 
the bowels and stomach. A tea made of this bark is very 
good, and maj^ be used freely; it is good to give the emetic 
and No. 2 in, and nia^^ be used for drink in all cases of 
sickness, especially when going through a course of medi- 
cine and steaming. This, with bayberry bark and the lily 
root, forms No. 3, or what has been commonly called coffee, 
though many other things may be added, or either of them 
may be used to advantage alone. The boughs, made into a 
tea, are very good for gravel and other obstructions of the 
urinary passages, and for rheumatism. 

MARSH ROSEMARY— The Root. 

This article is ver}^ well known in all parts of this coun- 
try, and has been made use of for canker and sore mouth. I 
have made use of it with bayberry bark as No. 3, in m}- 
practice for mau}^ years with good success; but after find- 
ing that the lily root and hemlock bark \vere better, have 



BOTANIC FAMILY PHYSICIAN. ")0 

mostly laid it aside. It is so binding in its nature that it is 
not safe to use it without a large proportion of bay berry bark. 

SUMACH— The Bark, Leaves and Berries. 

This appears to be a new article in medicine, entirely un- 
known to the medical faculty, as no mention is made of it by 
any author. The first of my knowledge that it was good for 
canker was when at Onion River, in 1807, attending the dys- 
entery. Being in want of something to clear the stomach and 
bowels in that complaint, found that the bark, leaves or ber- 
ries answered the purpose extremely well, and have made 
much use of it ever since. It is well known, and is found in 
all parts of the countr}-; some of it grows from eight to twelve 
feet high, and has large spreading branches; the berries grow 
in l^rge bunches, and w^hen ripe are a deep red color, of a 
pleasant sour taste; and are used b}- the country people to 
dye with. The leaves and 3-oung sprouts are made use of in 
tanning morocco leather. For medicine, the bark should be 
peeled when full of sap, the leaves when full grown, and 
the berries when ripe ; the}^ should be carefully dried, and 
when used as part of No. 3 should be pounded, and may be 
used altogether, or either separate. A tea made of either or 
altogether is very good, and may be given with safety in al- 
most all complaints, or put into the injections. It will scour 
the stomach and bowels, and is good for strangury-, as it 
promotes urine and relieves difficulties in the kidneys by re- 
moving obstructions and strengthening those parts. I have 
been in the habit of late years of making use of this article 
with bay berry bark and lily root, or hemlock bark, equal 
parts, for No. 3, or coffee, and it has always answered a good 
purpose. 

WITCH-HAZEL— The Leaves. 

I found the use of this article as medicine when I was 
quite young, and have made much use of it in all my prac- 
tice. It is too well known in the country to need an}- de- 
scription; is a small tree or bush, and grows very common, 
especially in new land. A tea made of the leaves is an ex- 
cellent medicine in many complaints, and ma^^ be freely used 



(50 X£U' GUIDE TO HEALTH; OR, 

to advantage. It is the best thing for bleeding at the stom- 
ach of any article I have ever found, either by giving a tea 
made of the drj^ leaves, or chewing them when green; have 
cured several with it. This complaint is caused by canker 
eating off the small blood vessels, and this medicine will re- 
move the canker and stop the bleeding. I have made much 
use of the tea, made strong for injections, and found it in all 
complaints of the bowels to be very serviceable. An injec- 
tion made of this tea, w4th a little of No, 2, is good for the 
piles, and manj' complaints common to females; and in bear- 
ing-down pains it w^ill afford immediate relief, if properh- ad- 
ministered. These leaves may be used in No. 3 to good ad- 
vantage, as a substitute for either of the other articles, or 
alone for the same purpose. 

RED RASPBERRY-The Leaves. 

This is an excellent article, and I believe was never made 
use of as medicine till discovered by me. When at Hastport, 
I had no article with me good for canker, and resorted to my 
old rule of tasting, and found that these leaves were good for 
that complaint; made into a strong tea, it answered every 
purpose wished. I gathered a large quantity of the leaves, 
and dried them, and have been in constant use of it as a 
medicine ever since, and have found it an excellent article, 
both for canker and man}- other complaints; for relax and 
other bowel complaints of children, it is the best thing that I 
have found; by giving the tea and using it in the injections, 
it affords immediate relief. A tea made of the leaves, sweet- 
ened, with milk in it, is very pleasant, and may be used 
freely. It is the best thing for women in travail of any ar- 
ticle I know^ of. Give a strong tea of it, w4th a little of No. 
2, sweetened, and it will regulate everything as nature re- 
quires. If the pains are untimely, it will make all quiet; if 
timely and lingering, give more No. 2 and Umbil in the tea. 
When the child is born, give it some of the tea wdth sugar 
and milk in it; this prevents sore mouth, and the tea is good 
to wash sore nipples w4th. A poultice made with this tea 
and cracker, or slipper}^ -elm bark, is very good for burns or 
scalds; if the skin is off, b}' applying this poultice or wash- 



BOTANIC FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 61 

ing with the tea, it will harden and stop smarting. It may 
be used in No. 3 as a substitute for other articles, or alone, 
to good effect. 

SQUAW-WEED— Indian Name, Cocash. 

This is known in the country by the name of frostweed, 
or meadow scabish; it is a wild weed, and growls in wetland, 
by the sides of brooks; it has a stalk that grows four or five 
feet high, which is rough and wool3^ with a narrow leaf; and 
bears a blue blossom late in the fall, which remains till the 
frost kills it. The root lives through the winter, and in the 
spring puts forth a new^ stalk; the leaves at the bottom re- 
main green through the winter. The roots and top are used 
for medicine. It has a fragrant tavSte and smell like lovage. 
It was the first thing I ever knew used for canker, and was 
given to me when I had the canker- rash, being considered 
then the best article known for canker. I have frequentl}' 
used it for that complaint and found it very good. Take the 
green roots and leaves, bruise them, and pour on hot water; 
give this tea sweetened. W may be kept b}- adding a little 
spirit, and is good for rheumatism and nervous affections. It 
is perfectly harmless, and ma}^ be used freeh'. It makes a 
ver}^ good bitter, tinctured with hot water and spirit and is 
good for dizziness and cold hands and feet. See under 
directions for preparing and using vegetable medicine. 



No. 4. — Bitters, to correct the Bile and restore Digestion. 

BITTER HERB, or BALIVIONY. 

This herb grows in wet mowing land, by the side of 
brooks. It is about the size of mint, the leaves some larger; 
the stalk is four square; the leaves are of a dark green, of a 
sweetish bitter taste. It bears a white blossom of singular 
form, resembling a snake's head with the mouth open. This 
herb is very good to correct the bile, and create an appetite. 
A tea of it ma}^ be used alone, or it ma}^ be added to the 
other articles described under this number, which are all 
calculated to restore the digestive powers. 



(52 XEIJ' GUIDE TO HEALTH; OR, 

POPLAR BARK. 

There are several species of the poplar tree that grow 
common in this country'. One kind is called the white pop- 
lar, and another stinking poplar. The barks of both these 
kinds are good for medicine; but the latter is the best, being 
the most bitter. It has tags hanging on the limbs, which 
remain on till it leaves out, which is about a week later than 
the other kind. It has short brittle twigs, which are ex- 
tremely bitter to the taste. The inner bark given in tea is 
one of the bCvSt articles to regulate the bile and restore the 
digestive powers of anything I have ever used. The bark 
may be taken from the bod}- of the tree, the limbs or the 
roots, and the outside shaved off. Preserve the inner 
bark, which should be dried and carefully preserved for use. 
To make the bitters No. 4, it should be pounded or ground 
fine, and mixed with the other articles, or it may be used 
alone for the same purpose. To make a tea, take a handful 
of the bark, pounded or cut into small .strips, and put into a 
quart mug, and fill it with boiling water. This, if taken 
freely, will relieve a relax, headache, faintness at the stom- 
ach, and many other complaints caused b}' bad digestion. 
Is good for obstructions of the urine, and weakness in the 
loins; and those of a consumptive habit will find great relief 
in using this tea freely. 

BARBERRY.— The Bark. 

This is a well-known shrub, producing red berries, of a 
pleasant sour taste, which are much used as a pickle, and 
are also preserved with sugar or molasses. The bark of the 
root or top is a good bitter, and useful to correct the bile and 
assist the digesture. The bark should be collected at the 
proper season, and carefully dried and pounded or ground to 
fine powder. It is used as a part of the bitters No. 4. A tea 
made of this bark is very good for all cases of indigestion, 
and ma}' be freely used. 

BITTER-ROOT, or WANDERING MILKWEED. 

This valuable vegetable grows in meadows and in hedg- 
es, and in appearance is vSomething like buckwheat, having 



BO TANIC FA MIL J ' PHYSICIAX. 03 

similar white blossoms; when the stalk is broken it dis- 
charges a milk}' substance: it has two small pods about the 
size of the cabbage seed pods, w4th a silk}' substance. This 
herb is wandering, that is, the roots run about under ground 
to a considerable distance and produce man}- stalks, which 
grow up from different parts of the root to the height of 
about two feet. The kind that is commonl}' known by the 
name of wandering milk- weed grows onl}' on upland. There 
is another kind which grows near rivers and on islands where 
high water flows over it; this differs some from the other in 
appearance; the roots run deep in the sand; it has leaves and 
pods like the first, and both are good for medicine. The 
bark of the root is used. The roots should be dug and dried, 
and w^hen perfectl}' dr}- ma}' be pounded in a mortar, when 
the bark is easily separated from the woody part. This root 
is very bitter, and is one of the greatest correctors of the bile 
I know of, and is an excellent medicine to remove costive- 
ness, as it w411 cause the bowels to move in a natural man- 
ner. A strong decoction of this root, made by steeping it in 
hot water, if drank freely will operate as a cathartic, and 
sometimes as an emetic, and is most sure to throw off a fever 
in its first .stages. It should be used in all cases of costive- 
ne.ss. 

GOLDEN SEAL, or OHIO KERCUMA.— The Root. 

This article grows only in the Western country. I am 
not well enough acquainted with the herb to give a descrip- 
tion of it; but of the medicinal virtues of the root I have had a 
sufiicient experience to recommend it as a very pleasant bit- 
ter, and in cases where the food in the stomach of weak pa- 
tients causes distress, a teaspoonful of the powder given in 
hot water, sweetened, will give immediate relief. It is an ex- 
cellent corrector of the bile, and may be used for that pur- 
pose alone, or with the bitter root, or may be compounded 
with either or all the articles described under this number, 
to restore the digestive powers. See under directions for pre- 
paring and using vegetable medicine. 

The purpose for which the articles described under this 
head are used is to regulate the stomach, so that the food 



()4 NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH; OR. 

taken into it may be properly digested; and I have men- 
tioned enough to enable those who make use of the practice 
to effect that object, if properly attended to. This is a very 
important part of the system of practice, for unless the food 
is digested, it is impossible to keep up that heat upon which 
life depends. 

No. 5.— Syrup for the Dysentery, to Strengthen the Stomach 
and Bowels, and Restore Weak Patients. 

The articles used in this preparation are the bark of pop- 
lar and bay berry, which have been described, peach meats, 
or meats of cherry stones, sugar and brand}-. 

PEACH MEATS. 

The meats that are in the peach stones have long been 
used as medicine, and need but little to be said about them, 
except that they are of great value to strengthen the stomach 
and bowels, and restore the digesture; for which purpose I 
have made much use of them, and always to good advantage. 
Made into a cordial, with other articles, in the manner as 
will be hereafter directed, form one of the best remedies I 
know of to recover the natural tone of the stomach after long 
sickness, and to restore weak patients, particularly in dysen- 
tery. A tea made of the leaves of the peach tree is very 
good for bowel complaints in children and 3^ oung people, and 
will remove colic. 

CHERRY STONES. 

The meats of the wild cherry stones are very good, and 
may be used instead of the peach meats, when they cannot 
be had. Get these stones as clean as possible, and when well 
dried, pound them in a mortar, and separate the meats from 
the stones, which is done with little trouble; take the same 
quantity as is directed of the peach meats, and it will answer 
equall}- as well. A tea made of the cherries, pounded with 
the stones, and steeped in hot water sweetened with loaf su- 
gar, to which add a little brandy, is good to restore the di- 
gestive powers and create an appetite. 



JW TAXIC FA MIL J ' PHY SI CI A X. Oo 

Bitter almonds may be used as a substitute for the peach 
meats or cherr}^ stones, when they cannot be had. See 
under directions for preparing and using vegetable medicine. 

No. 6. Rheumatic Drops, to Remove Pain, Prevent -Mortifica= 
tion, and Promote a Natural Heat. 

The principal articles used in this preparation are high 
wines, or fourth-proof brand}^ gum myrrh and cayenne; for 
external application spirits of turpentine are added, and some- 
times gum camphor. The manner of preparing will be here- 
after given. 

GUM MYRRH. 

This is a gum obtained from a tree which grows in the 
East Indies, and is brought to this country and sold by the 
apothecaries for medicinal uses; there is nothing sold b}' 
them that possesses more useful and medicinal properties 
than this article, though the doctors seem to have but little 
knowledge of its virtues. All those whom I have heard ex- 
press an opinion upon it, consider it of ver}' little value. 
When I obtained nn- patent, Dr. Thornton, the clerk of the 
Patent Office, said it was good for nothing; all this, howev- 
er, does not lessen its value. The first knowledge I had of 
it was when I was laid up wath ni}^ lame ankle at Onion 
River, as has been before related in m}' narrative. An old 
man from Canada, passing that way, and hearing of un- 
case, called to see me, and, observing the putrid state I was 
in, told my father that gum myrrh would be good for me, as 
it was an excellent article to prevent mortification. He im- 
mediatel}' obtained some of the tincture, and not having a 
S3^ringe, he took some in his mouth and squirted it through 
a. quill into the wound; the smarting was severe for a short 
time. By tasting it himself and finding it a pleasant bitter, 
he gave me some to take; b}' using it, there was a favorable 
alteration both in m}^ bodily health and in the state of my 
wound. After this I had great faith in this article, and was 
seldom without it. When I came to have a famih', I made 
much use of myrrh; it was one of the principal articles used 
in restoring my wife when given over by the midwife, as re- 



()() X£jr GUIDE TO HEALTH; OR. 

lated in iii}- narrative. In several cases of bad wounds and 
old sores, it afforded great relief; and in what the doctors call 
worm complaints in children, b}' giving the tincture when 
such symptoms appeared, it removed them. I used it at this 
time by making a tincture with spirit; but after having a 
knowledge of cayenne, I put some of this with it, which 
made it much better. I found out by accident that boiling 
it would prevent the fumes of the spirit from rising to the 
head, which would otherwise, in some cases, produce bad 
effects, particularly in such as were subject to h3'sterical af 
fection. This was the origin of \\\\ rheumatic drops, a prep- 
aration which has proved more generally useful than an}- one 
compound I make use of. In selecting m^Trh for use, take 
that of a light brown color, somewhat transparent, and of a 
bitter taste, a little pungent. It should be reduced to a fine 
powder b}' being pounded in a mortar before being used. 

SPIRIT OF TURPENTINE. 

This article is too well known to need any description, be- 
ing used by painters. The only way in which I use it is in 
such preparations as are intended for external application, 
in which I have found it useful. A proportion of it should 
be added to the rheumatic drops when used for the itch or 
other bad humors. It is a powerful article, and should be 
used wdth caution. 

GUM CAMPHOR. 

I shall say but little about this article, as I never found 
any very great advantages from its use, though I never knew 
it to do an}' harm. It is made much use of, and I think there 
is more credit given to it than what it deserves. I have been 
in the habit of adding some of it to the rheumatic drops when 
used for bad sprains, and in such cases have found it useful; 
and I ha\'e no doubt but that it ma}' be sometimes given to 
advantage to warm the stomach and relieve pain; but there 
are other articles which I make use of for that purpose that 
are much better. vSee under directions for preparing and 
using vegetable medicine. 



nOT, I XIC FAMILY PHYSIC/ AX. 07 

NERVE POWDER. 

American Valerian, or Ladies' Slipper; sometimes called Umbil, or Male 
and Female Nervine. 

There are four species of this valuable vegetable, one male 
and three female. The male is called 3'ellow umbil, and grows 
in swamps and wet land; has a large cluster of fibrous roots 
matted together, joined to a solid root, which puts forth sev- 
eral .stalks that grow about two feet high; ithas? leaves some- 
thing resembling the poke leaf. The female kinds are dis- 
tinguished by the color of the blossoms, which are red, red 
and white, and white. The red has but two leaves, which 
grow out of the ground, and lean over to the right and left, 
between which a single stalk shoots up to the height of from 
eight to ten inches, bearing on its top a red blossom of a ver}- 
singular form, that gives it the name of female umbil. This 
kind is found on high ledges and in swamps. The red and 
white and white umbil grows only in swamps, and is in larger 
clusters of roots than the yellow, but in a similar form; its 
topis similar to the red, except the color of the blossom . 
The yellow and red are the best for medicine; the roots should 
be dug in the fall when done growing, or in the spring, be- 
fore the top puts forth. If dug when growing, the roots will 
nearly all dry up. When the roots are dug, the}' should be 
washed clean, carefully dried, and pounded or ground to a 
fine powder, sifted through a fine sieve, and preserved from 
the air for use. 

This powder is the best nervine known. I have made 
great use of it, and have always found it to produce the most 
ben eficiak effects in all cases of nen^ous affection, and in h^^s- 
terical s^-mptoms; in fact, it would be difficult to get along 
with my practice in many cases without this important arti- 
cle. It is perfectly harmless, and may be used in all cases 
of disease with safety, and is much better than opium, which 
is generally given in cases of spasmodic affection, and which 
onl3' deadens the feelings, and relieves pain only by destroy- - 
ing sensibility without doing any good. It has been sup- 
posed by the doctors to be of a narcotic nature, but this is a 
mistake. They have drawn this conclusion, I suppose, from 



OS A'BJJ' GUIDE TO HEALTH; OR, 

its tendenc}' to promote sleep, but this is altogether owing to 
its quieting the nerves, and leaving the patient at ease when 
nature requires sleep to recover the natyral tone of the sys- 
tem. Half a teaspoonful may be given in hot water, sweet- 
ened, and the dose repeated if necessary; or the same quan- 
tity ma}^ be mixed with a dose of either the other numbers, 
when given, and put into the injections, and w'here there are 
nervous symptoms it should never be dispensed with. See 
under directions for preparing and using vegetable medicine. 



I have thus far gi\'en a description of all the important 
vegetables made use of in my system of practice, with the 
manner of preparing and using them. I shall now proceed 
to describe a number of articles of less importance, all of which 
I have used and found good in \'arious complaints. Some of 
them form a part of my medical preparations, and many oth- 
ers ma>' 1)e used as sul^stitutes for some that ha^-e been men- 
tioned. They are all of a warming nature, and ma}^ be used 
to advantage in throwing off disease in its first stages. 

SPEARMINT. 

This is a well-known herb, and makes a very pleasant 
tea, which may be freely used in sickness. The most valua- 
ble propg'ty it possesses is to stop vomiting. If the Emetic 
Herb or any other cause should produce violent vomiting, 
b}^ giving a strong tea made of this herb it will stop it, and 
sit pleasantly on the stomacli. 

PEPPERMINT. 

This article is very hot in its. nature, and may be used to 
advantage to promote perspiration and overpower the cold. 
I have frequenth' used it for that purpose with success, but 
it is volatile, and will not retain the heat long in the stom- 
ach. In colds and slight attacks of disease, to drink freely of 
a tea made of this herb on going to bed will throw it off. 
The essence, put in warm water, is good to give children, 
and will relieve pain in the stomach and bowels. A few 
drops of the oil given in warm water, or on loaf sugar, are 
good for the same purpose. 



BO TANIC FA MIL Y Pin 'SICIAX. (H) 

PENNYROYAL. 

This herb groWvS common in all parts of the countiy, and 
is too well known to need an}^ description. It is an article 
of great value in medicine, and a tea of it may be freely used 
in all cases of sickness. It is good for the stomach, being 
warming and cleansing; if drank freeh', will produce per- 
spiration and remove obstructions. In colds and slight at- 
tacks of diseavSe, it will be likely to throw it off and prevent 
sickness. It is vers- good for children, and will remove pain 
in the bowels and wind. In going through a course of med- 
cine, a tea of this herb may be given for drink, and will 
cause the medicine to have a pleasant operation. 

SUMMER SAVORY. 

This herb grows in gardens, and is made use of to season 
meats in cooking; it is of a ver}' pleasant flavor and of a hot 
nature. A tea of it is good for colds, and may be used freeh' 
in case of sickness. There is an oil made from this herb 
which will cure the toothache by putting a little on cotton 
wool, and appl^'ing it to the affected tooth. 

HOARHOUND. 

This plant grows common in this countr}-, and is made 
much account of in removing cough. An infusion made of 
the leaves, sweetened with honey, is good for the asthma, 
and all complaints of the lungs. The syrup of this plant will 
loosen tough phlegm, and remove hoarseness caused b}^ a 
bad cold. The hoarhound candy is very useful for such as 
are troubled with cough, particularly old people and those 
that are short-winded. 

ELECAMPANE. 

The root of this plant made into S3'rup is good for a 
cough, and I have made use of it for that purpose with ad- 
vantage in mau}^ cases, and can recommend it as a safe and 
useful remedy in complaints of that kind. 

MAYWEED. 

A tea made of this herb, to be drank hot when going to 
bed, is very good for a cold, and in slight attacks of a fever 



70 JVBJV GUIDE TO HEALTH; OR, 

if used freely, and a hot stone put to the feet, will in most 

cases throw it off. It grows common in old fields, and by 

the sides of roads. 

WORMWOOD. 

This herb is a very wholesome bitter, and may be taken 

to advantage in different Ava3's. It is of a hot nature, and is 

good for the stomach to create an appetite and assist the di- 

gesture. It may be taken in tea, or the green herb may be 

pounded and tinctured in spirit, which is good to apply to a 

bruise or sprain. 

TANSY. 

This is a hot, bitter herb, grows common in highways, and 
is cultivated in gardens. A tea made of this herb is good for 
hysterics and other female complaints; it will strengthen those 
that have weak reins and kidneys, and is good for the strang- 
ury, or stoppage of urine. The green leaves pounded are 
good to put on bruises and sprains, and will alia}- the swell- 
ing. 

CHAMOMILE. 

This is a well-known herb. The flowers are sold b}- tlie 
apothecaries and are made much use of in a tea for man}- 
complaints. It is good given in a tea for bowel com- 
plaints, and, externally applied, will relieve sprains, bruises, 
and swellings, and remove callouses, corns, etc., and restore 

shrunk sinews. 

BITTER-SWEET. 

This herb has long been esteemed as a medicine of con- 
siderable value for man}' complaints. It grows common in 
this countr}', in hedges w^here the ground is moist, and the 
top runs along the ground or climbs on bushes. Its taste 
when chewed is first bitter and then sweet, w^hicli has given 
it its name. It is said to be a good medicine for internal in- 
juries and to remove obstructions, which I have no doubt is 
correct; but the only w^ay I make use of it is for external ap- 
plication; the bark of the root with chamomile and worm- 
wood makes an ointment of great value, which is an excel- 
lent thing for a bruise, sprain, callous, swelling or for corns. 

MULLEIN. 

The leaves of this plant are very good to bring down 



BOTAXIC FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 71 

swelling and to restore contracted sinews, b}- pounding them 
and applying them warm to the part affected. For external 
use they are an excellent article in many complaints. This 
herb is too well known to need an}- description. It is an 
important article in my strengthening plaster. 

BURDOCK. 

The leaves of this plant, wilted by the fire and applied to 

an external injur}-, will allay the inflammation and ease 

pain, and the}' are good pounded and put onto a bruise or 

sprain, as they will give immediate relief. It is made use of in 

the strengthening plaster. The leaves are good applied to 

the feet in case of fever, to keep them moist and promote 

perspiration . 

SKUNK-CABBAGE. 

This vegetable grows common in all parts of New Eng- 
land. It has large leaves something resembling cabbage, from 
which, and its disagreeable smell, it takes its name; it ma}" be 
found in the meadows and wet land. The root only is used 
for medicine, and should be dug and split into strips and 
carefully dried; when dry it should be pounded or ground to 
a powder. This powder may be taken in tea sweetened, or 
made into a syrup, or half a teaspoonful ma}- be mixed in 
honey and taken in the morning; or at night when going to 
bed. It is good for asthma, cough, difficulty of breathing, 
and all disorders of the lungs, and with other articles makes 
one of the best preparations for those complaints I have ever 
found. 

WAKE-ROBIN. 

This plant grows wild in this countr}-. It has three tri- 
angular leaves. From between them it puts forth a naked 
stalk, on the top of which is a singular stem or pistil, en- 
closed in a sheath, resembling a flower, which is followed by 
a bunch of reddish berries. The root is used for medicine, 
and resembles a small turnip. This root is extremely pung- 
ent and stimulating, and is often given for colic and pain 
in the bowels, and to expel wind. I have mostly made use 
of it for cough and disorders of the lungs, for which I have 
found it a very useful article, and it forms part of my com- 



72 ^^£lr GUIDE TO HEALTH; OR, 

position for coughs. The root should be dried and reduced 

to a powder, and ma}^ be given mixed with honey, or in a 

syrup. 

THOROUGHWORT. 

This herb is well known in the countr}-, and is made use 
of b}^ the people in tea for many complaints. It is of a warm- 
ing nature, and is good for cough and other complaints of 
the lungs. It is used in my compound prepared for coughs. 

FEATHERFEW. 

This herb is stimulating and is good for hysteric com- 
plaints, and man}- other disorders common to females. It 
promotes the passage of urine, and removes obstructions in 
those parts. It should be taken in tea alone, or may be 
added with chamomile, and used to advantage in all cases of 
obstructions. 

CLIVERS. 

This is a sort of joint grass, and grows in mowing land, 
where the ground is wet. It has small leaves at each joint. 
The stalk is four square and the edges are rough like a sickle. 
This herb, made into a strong tea and drank freely, is very 
good for the stoppage of urine, and may be made use of for 
all obstructions in those parts to advantage. 

BLACK BIRCH BARK. 

A tea made of this bark is useful in curing all complaints 
of the bowels and to remove obstructions. I have made much 
use of it in d3'senter3'. This tea, with peach meats or cherr}- - 
stone meats, made into a S3-rup, is an excellent article to re- 
store patients after having been reduced b}- that disease, and 
to promote the digesture. It is good for canker and all com- 
plaints of the bowels. 

EVAN ROOT. 

This is called b}- some people chocolate root, on account 
of its resembling that article in taste, and is made use of by- 
some for common drink instead of tea or coffee. It is good 
for canker, and ma}- be used in No. 3 as a substitute for other 
articles. It grows common in this countr}-, and is too well 
known to need describing. 



BOTANIC FAMILY PHYSICIAX. T.\ 

SLIPPERY ELM BARK. 

The inner bark of this tree is an article of much vahie, 
and may be used to advantage in man}' different waj's. 
There are several species of the elm that grow common in 
this countr}', and there are two kinds of the slipper}- elm. 
In one the bark is rather hard and tough, and the other is ver}' 
brittle; the latter is the best for medicinal uses. The bark 
should be peeled, the outside ross shaved off, dried, and 
ground or pounded to a fine powder. If used internally, 
put a teaspoonful of this powder into a teacup with as much 
sugar, mix them well together, then add a little cold water 
and stir it until perfecth' mixed, and then put hot water to it 
and stir till it forms a jelly thick enough to be eaten with a 
spoon. A teaspoonful ma}' be taken at a time, and is an ex- 
cellent medicine to heal soreness in the throat, stomach and 
bowels, caused by canker; or more hot water may be put to 
it and made into a drink, and freely taken for the same pur- 
pose. I have made much use of this bark for poultices, and 
have in all cases found it a most excellent article for that 
purpose. Mixed with pounded cracker and ginger it makes 
the best poultice I have ever found; for burns, scalds, felons, 
old sores, etc., it is the best thing I have met with to allay 
the inflammation, ease the pain and heal them in a short time. 

BALSAM FIR. 

This balsam is obtained from a tree well known in many 

parts of this countr}-; it is taken from small blisters which 

form in the bark. It is of a ver}' healing nature, and is good 

to remove internal soreness. It forms an important article 

in my healing salve. When taken it may be dropped on loaf 

sugar. 

GENTIAN. 

This root grows wild in this country, and is found plen- 
tifully in Vermont. It was formerly collected for exporta- 
tion, and large quantities of it were sent to China, where it 
brought a great price. It is said the people of that country 
considered it of great value, but for what purpose they use 
it, is, I believe, onlv known to themselves. It is a nervine. 



74 NEIV GUIDE TO HEALTH; OR. 

and may be used to advantage in all cases of nervous affec- 
tion, either alone or mixed with other articles. The root 
should be dug in the fall, dried and reduced to a fine powder; 
from half to a teaspoonful may be gi^'en for a dose, in hot 
water, sweetened. 

SNAKEROOT. 

This is a well-known article, grows wild, and may be 
found in most parts of this country. It is of a hot nature, 
and is made much use of in tea for measles and other erup- 
tions to keep the disorder out, for which it is considered very 
good; this is owing to its warming qualities, which keep the 
determining powers to the surface, which effect ma}^ be pro- 
duced b}' almo.st any strong stimulant; but No. 2, or the 
composition powders, is much the best for that purpose. A 
tea made of this root ma}- be given to advantage in man}- 
cases of disease; it has a tendency to promote perspiration, 
and is good to remove paili in the stomach and bowels, and 
expel wind. The roots, reduced to pow^der, may be mixed 
with gentian or umbil for all nervous complaints. 

MUSTARD. 

The seed of this herb is principally made use of for cul- 
inar}^ purposes, being eaten on meat, for which it is ground 
to a fine powder and mixed with warm water. It is ver}- 
pungent and of a hot nature, but is volatile and will not hold 
the heat long enough to do much good in retaining the in- 
ternal heat. It is good to create an appetite and assist the 
digesture, and given in hot water, sweetened, will remove 
pain in the bowels and stomach. It is frequenth' used for 
rheumatism, both internally and externally, but Nos. 2 and 
6 are much better for that purpose. 

HORSERADISH. 

The root of this plant is mostly used for culinary pur- 
po.ses, and it has some medicinal properties. It is of a hot 
nature, but very volatile; its warming qualities will mosth^ 
evaporate before it gets into the stomach. The roots may be 
given to promote the appetite and assist the dige.sture. The 



BOTANIC FAMILY PHYSICIAX. 75 

leaves are sometimes applied to remove external pain, bnt 
are apt to raise a blister. 

BALM OF GILEAD. 

This tree is of the species of the poplar, and possesses 
some medicinal virtues. It resembles the kind of poplar that 
has been described, having similar tags, but the buds and 
leaves are larger. The buds, bruised and tinctured in spirit, 
produce an effect something like the tincture of m3-rrh, and 
are good taken inwardly as a restorative, and for bathing- 
sores. The bark, scraped from the twigs and steeped in hot 
water, is a good corrector of the bile, and will operate both 
as an emetic and cathartic; it is more harsh than the other 
kind of poplar, but may be used to advantage in many cases 

of disease. 

BUTTERNUT. 

This tree grows common in this country, and is well 
known from the nut which it bears, of an oblong shape and 
nearh' as large as an ^zz, in which is a meat containing much 
oil, and very good to eat. The bark of this tree is used by 
the countr}' people to color with. The bark taken from the 
bod}' of the tree or roots, and boiled down till thick, may be 
made into pills, and operates as a powerful emetic and ca- 
thartic; a .syrup ma}* be made by boiling the bark and add- 
ing one-third molas.ses and a little spirit, which is good to 
give children for worm complaints. The buds and twigs 
ma}- also be u.sed for the same purpose, and are more mild. 
White-ash bark and balm of gilead may be added, equal 
parts, and made into syrup or pills. Those who are fond of 
drastic purges may have their ends sufficiently answered b}' 
these preparations, and the}^ are the most safe and harmless 
of any that I know of; and those who wish to be tortured 
with blisters can have them cheap, b}' bruising the green 
shell of the nut, or the bark, and applying it where the 
blister is wanted, keeping the bandage wet, and in three 
hours they will be completely drawn, and the skin as black 
as that of an African. This is much quicker and safer than 
if done with flies, and will not cause strangur3\ The bark 
of the butternut is the principal ingredient in Dr. Hawkes' 



7(5 iVEM' GUIDE TO HEALTH; OR. 

rheumatic and cancer pills, and also of Chamberlain's bilious 
cordial, which have been so celebrated for many complaints. 
It is called by some people oilnut and lemon walnut. 

BLUE AND WHITE VERVINE. 

This is a well-known herb, growing ver}- common; it 
ranks next to the Emetic Herb for a puke, and may be used 
for that purpose either alone or combined with thoroughwort. 
It is good to prevent a fever in its first stages. This herb 
has been used with considerable success in consumption, 
having cured several cases where the doctors had given them 
over. It may be used in a tea made of the dry herb, or 
prepared in powder like the Emetic Herb. 

PIPSISWAY, OR RHEUMATIC WEED. 

This herb grows on mountainous land, and on pine plains 
where the boxberry or checker-berry is found plent}-. It is 
an evergreen, and grows from three to six inches high, has 
a number of dark green leaves about half an inch wide and 
from one to two inches long, with a scolloped edge; bears 
several brown seeds resembling allspice. The tops and roots 
are used for medicine. The roots when chewed are ver^- 
pungent, and will be felt for several hours on the tongue 
as though burnt. A strong tea made of this plant is good 
for cancers and all scrofulous humors, b}- drinking the tea 
and bathing with it the parts affected. 

Another evergreen plant, called wild lettuce, grows on 
the same kind of land, which po.ssesses much the same med- 
ical properties as the above. It has round leaves from the 
size of a cent to that of a dollar, resembling a common let- 
tuce. The roots of this plant and of the pipsisway , dried and 
powdered together, equal parts, are good to cure all bad hu- 
mors. Take a teaspoonful of the powder in a glass of hot 
water, and bathe the parts affected with the same. It is also 
good to restore weak nerves. 

GOLDENRQD. 

This herb may be found common on pine plains and in 
hedges; it grows about two or three feet high, has a long 



BOTANIC FAMILY PHYSICIAX, 77 

narrow leaf, very smooth and glossy, and a large cluster of 
yellow blossoms; it has a sweet, spicy taste and smell, re- 
sembling fennel or anise. There is an oil obtained from 
this herb good for medicine, and also prepared in essence is 
good for pain in the head, to be taken, or the outside bathed 
with it. The oil is good to scent the baj'berrs- and bitter- 
root snuff, which is ver}' good to be taken and snuffed up 
the nose. There are several herbs that resemble this in ap- 
pearance, but are verj- different in smell and taste. 

MEADOW FERN. 

This is a shrub and grows in meadows and by the side of 
stagnant water, sometimes growing in the water; it is found 
in thick bunches, and grows from two to three feet high. 
When the leaves are off it has a large bud, which is larger 
on some bushes than others; some of them bear a small bur, 
or cluster of seeds, which, when rubbed between the fingers, 
leaves an oil}^ or balsam}^ substance, having a fragrant smell, 
something like spirits of turpentine. 

These burs, pounded fine and simmered in cream, hog's 
lard or fresh butter, are almost a sovereign remed}' for the 
itch or external poison, and all bad humor sores. When the 
burs cannot be had, take the bush and buds and make a 
.strong decoction, drink of this and wash with the same. 
This liquor may be prepared in S3'rup, and b}' boiling it down 
maj^ be made into ointment, as has been described for the 
burrs; the syrup should be taken and the ointment put on the 
affected parts. This ointment, or the w^ash, is good for salt- 
rheum, or canker sores, and ma}^ be used freel3\ 

YELLOW DOCK. 

The root of this plant is well known as being made into 
ointment for the itch. The roots should be bruised fine in a 
mortar and put in a pewter basin; add cream enough to 
make an ointment, keep it warm for twelve hours, but be care- 
ful not to scald it. Rub it on at night when going to bed. 
Three times using it will generall}' effect a cure. The fore- 
going described ointments, together with No. 3, and the 



7S ^'ElF GUIDE TO HEALTH; OR, 

rheumatic drops prepared with the spirits of turpentine, will 
be sufficient to cure an}- case of this complaint. 

PRICKLY ASH. 

This is a shrub or bush that grows in the Western coun- 
try, and is well known b}' the people there. It grows from 
eight to twelve feet high, and bears a berry that grows clost 
to the limbs; it has leaves like the white ash. The bark and 
the berries are used for medical purposes. The berries are 
very pungent, and are a powerful stimulant, as also the bark 
of the top and roots, though not so strong. It should be 
pounded to a powder and steeped in hot water, then put into 
wine or spirit, and it makes a very good hot bitter. Take 
half a glass two or three times a day ; it is good for fever and 
ague, for which it is much used, and for lethargy or sleep- 
iness, and for cold feet and hands, and other complaints caused 

bv cold. 

BITTER THISTLE. 

This herb is a species of the thistle, and is cultivated in 
gardens. It is of one 3'ear's growth, the seed being sown 
in the spring, and it comes to maturity in the fall. The stalk 
lias a number of branches, and a great quantity of leaves. 
The leaf is some larger than the Canada thistle, with prick- 
les like it, and it bears seeds about the size of the barley 
corn, with a beard on the end nearly as long as the seed. 
The leaves are used for medicine, which may be steeped in 
hot water, and drank like other herb tea, or they ma}^ be .re- 
duced to a powder and taken in molasses or warm water, or 
in wine or spirit. It is an excellent corrector of the bile, 
and may be safel}^ used for the purpose. The Cardis Bene- 
dictus, or beloved thistle, is cultivated in the same manner, 
and may be used for the same purpose. 

ARCHANGEL. 

This herb grows wild in wetland, and may be often found, 
among the grass, and at the edges of plough fields. It grows, 
from four to twelve inches high ; the leaves are rather smaller 
than mint leaves; it bears a kind of bur containing seed, 
which grows round the stalk at each joint. There are two 



BOTANIC FAMILY PHYSICIAX. 79 

kinds which grow near each other; the}' look very much 
alike, but are ver\' different in taste. One is ver}' bitter and 
the other has no bitter taste, but is ver}' rough and of a bal- 
samic taste. They may be used together in a tea or syrup, 
and answer two important purposes; the rough removes the 
canker and the bitter is a corrector of the bile. By adding 
No. 2, the compound contains the three great principles of 
the healing art, viz: hot, rough and bitter. 



DIRECTIONS FOR PREPARING AND USING VEGETABLE MEDICINE. 

No. I. — Emetic Herb. 

The preparation of this herb has been sufficiently de- 
scribed, for which see page 44. It is prepared and used in 
three different waj'S, viz: 

1. The powdered leaves and pods. This is the most 
common form of using it; and from half to a teaspoonful ma}- 
be taken in warm water, sweetened; or the same quantity- 
may be put into either of the other numbers when taken to 
cleanse the stomach, overpower the cold, and promote a free 
perspiration. 

2. A tincture made from the green herb in spirit. This 
is used to counteract the effects of poison (to be either in- 
ternall}' or externall}^ used) and for asthma and other com- 
plaints of the lungs. For a dose, take a teaspoonful, adding 
about the same quantity of No. 2 in half a teacupful of warm 
water, sweetened, and in all cases of nervous affection add 
half a teaspoonful of nerve powder. For the external effects 
of poison, take the above dose, and bathe the parts affected 
with the tincture, repeating it till cured. 

3. The seeds reduced to a fine powder and mixed with 
Nos. 2 and 6. This is for the most violent attacks of spasms 
and other complaints, such as lockjaw, bite of a mad-dog, 
fits, drowned persons, and all cases of suspended animation, 
where the vital spark is nearh' extinct. For a dose, give a 
teaspoonful, and repeat it till relief is obtained; then follow 
with a tea of No. 3 for canker. 

For children, the dose must be regulated according to 
their age. If very young, steep a dose of the powder in half 



so ^'EIV GUI HE TO HEALTH; OR. 

a teacupful of warm water, or tea of raspberry leaves, and 
give a teaspoonful at a time of the tea, strained through a 
fine cloth, and sweetened, repeating the dose every ten min- 
utes, till it operates, and give penn3^ro3^al, or some other 
herb tea, for drink. 

No. 2. — Cayenne. 

This is a medicine of great value in the practice, and may 
be safely used in all cases of disease to raise and retain the 
internal vital heat of the system, cause a free perspiration, 
and keep the determining powers to the surface. The only 
preparation is to have it reduced to a fine powder. For a 
dose, take from half to a teaspoonful, in hot water, or a tea 
of No. 3, sweetened; or the same quantity may be mixed 
with a dose of either the other numbers when taken. The 
dOvSe should be repeated everj^ ten or fifteen minutes till the 
desired object is effected, and continued occasionally till 
health is restored. When this number is given, the patient 
should be kept warm b>- sitting by the fire, covered with a 
blanket, or in a warm l)ed. 

No. 3.— For Canker. 

Take bay berry root bark, white pond lily root, and the 
inner bark of hemlock, equal parts of each pounded and well 
mixed together; steep one ounce of the powder in a pint of 
boiling, water, and give for a dose a common wineglass full, 
sweetened. 

If the above cannot be had, take as a substitute sumach 
bark, leaves or berries, red raspberry or witch-hazel leaves, 
marsh rosemary, or either of the other articles described un- 
der the head of No. 3; the}^ are all good for canker, and may 
be used together or separate. 

When the violence of the disease requires a course of 
medicine, steep one ounce of the above-mentioned powder, 
No. 3, in a pint of boiling water, strain off a wineglass full , 
while hot, and add a teaspoonful of No. 2, and the same 
quantit}' of sugar; when cool enough to take, add a teaspoon- 
ful of No. I, and half that quantity of nerve pow^der. Let 
this dose be given three times, at intervals of fifteen min- 



BOTANIC FAMIL Y PHYSICIAN. 81 

utes, and let the same compound be given b}- injection, and 
if the case requires it again repeat it. If mortification is 
apprehended, a teaspoonful of No. 6 ma}- be added to each 
dose, and to the injections. 

After the patient has recovered sufficient!}' from the op- 
eration of the medicine, which is usuallj^ in two or three 
hours, place them over the steam, as is directed on page 22. 

This operation is sufficient for one time, and must be re- 
peated each day, or ever^^ other day, as the circumstances of 
the case ma}' require, till the disorder is removed. Three 
times will generally be sufficient, and sometimes once or 
twice will answer the purpose, but in bad chronic cases it 
may be necessary to continue to carry them through a regu- 
lar course two or three times a week , for a considerable length 
of time. 

Great care must be taken to keep up an internal heat, so 
as to produce perspiration, after they have been through the 
operation, b}- giving occasionally No. 2, or the composition 
powder, for if this is not attended to, the patient may have a 
relapse, in which case it will be very difficult to raise it again, 
as they will fall as much below a natural heat as the}- have 
been raised above it b}' artificial means. 

During the operation give milk porridge, or gruel, well 
seasoned, with a little cayenne in it, and after it is over, the 
patients may eat any kind of nourishing food that the appe- 
tite ma}' crave. 

A teacupful of the tea of No. 3 should be taken night 
and morning to prevent a relapse of the disease, and during 
the day drink frequently of a tea made of poplar bark, and 
if costive, use the bitter root. 

As soon as the disorder is removed, use the bitters, No. 
4, to correct the bile and restore the digesture; and half a 
wineglass full of the syrup, No. 5, may be taken two or 
three times a day, which will strengthen the stomach and 
assist in regulating the digestive powers. 

The foregoing directions are calculated for the more vio- 
lent attacks of disease, and such as have become settled, but 
those of a less violent nature must be treated according to 
circumstances. In the first stages of a disease, it may be 



82 XEJr GUIDE TO HEALTH; OR. 

most generally thrown off by a dose of the Emetic Herb, 
with No. 2 to raise a free perspiration, followed \yy a tea of 
No. 3 to remove the canker, and the bitters or a tea of pop- 
lar bark to regulate the digesture. For a sudden cold, take 
a dose of the composition powder on going to bed, and put a 
hot stone wrapped in wet cloths at the feet, which will in 
most cases remove the complaint ; but if these applications 
do not answer the purpose, the patient should be carried 
through a regular course as soon as possible. Steaming is 
safe and will always do good, and the injections must not be 
neglected, particularly where the bowels are disordered. In 
consumption, and all old lingering complaints, give the com- 
position powder for two or three daj's before going through 
a regular course. 

No. 4.— Bitters. 

Take the Bitter Herb, or balmony, barberr}' and poplar 
bark, equal parts, pulverized, one ounce of the powder to a 
pint of hot water, and half a pint of spirit. For a dose, take 
half a wineglass full. For hot bitters, add a teaspoonful of 
No. 2. 

This preparation is calculated to correct the bile and cre- 
ate an appetite by restoring the digestive powers; and may 
be freel}'^ used both as a restorative and to prevent disease. 

When the above articles cannot be had, either of those 
that have been before described under No. 4, which are all 
good for the same purpose, ma}' be used as a substitute. 

No. 5.— Syrup. 

Take poplar bark and bark of the root of bayberry, one 
pound each, and boil them in two gallons of water; strain off 
and add seven pounds of good sugar; then scald and skim it, 
and add half a pound of peach meats, or the same quantity of 
cherry-stone meats, pounded fine, When cool add a gallon 
of good brandy, and keep it in bottles for use. Take half a 
wineglass full two or three times a day. 

Any other quantity may be prepared, b}' observing the 
same proportion of the different articles. 

This syrup is very good to strengthen the stomach and 



BOTANIC FAMILY PHYSICIAX. S3 

bowels, and to restore weak patients, and is particularly use- 
ful in the d3'senter3^, which leaves the stomach and bowels 
in a sore state. In a relax, or the first stages of the dj'sen- 
tery, by using a tea of No. 3 freel}' and giving this syrup, 
it will generally cure it, and will also prevent those exposed 
from taking the disease. 

No. 6. — Rheumatic Drops. 

Take one gallon of good fourth-proof brand}-, or an}- kind 
of high wines, one pound of gum myrrh, pounded fine, one 
ounce of No. 2, and put them into a stone jug, and boil it a 
few minutes in a kettle of water, leaving the jug unstopped. 
When settled, bottle it up for use. It may be prepared with- 
out boiling, b}^ letting it stand in the jug for five or six da3\s, 
shaking it well every da}^ when it will be fit for use. 

These drops are to remove pain and prevent mortifica- 
tion, to be taken, or applied externall}-, or to be put in the 
injections. One or two teaspoonfuls of these drops may be 
given alone, or the same quantit}^ ma}- be put into a dose of 
either of the medicines before mentioned, and may be also 
used to bathe with in all cases of external swellings or pains. 
It is an excellent remedy for rheumatism , by taking a dose 
and bathing the parts affected with it. In the headache, by 
taking a swallow, and bathing the head, and snufiing a lit- 
tle up the nose, it will remove the pain. It is good for 
bruises, sprains, swelled joints, and old sores, as it will allay 
the inflammation, bring down swelling, ease pain, and pro- 
duce a tendency to heal; in fact, there is hardly a complaint 
in which this useful medicine cannot be used to advantage. 
It is the best preserv^ative again.st mortification of any thing 
I have ever found. 

For bathing, in rheumatism, itch, or other humors, or in 
any swelling or external pain, add one quarter part of spirits 
of turpentine, and for sprains and bruises a little gum cam- 
phor may be added. 

NERVE POWDER. 

This is the American Valerian or Umbil, and the prepar- 
ation has been sufiSciently described, for which see page 67. 
This powder is a valuable and safe medicine, and may be 



84 ^'EJV GUIDE TO HEALTH; OR, 

used in all cases without danger, and when there are nerv- 
ous symptoms it must never be dispensed w4th. For a dose, 
take half a teaspoonful in hot water, sweetened, or the same 
quantity should be put into a dose of either of the other 
medicines, and also into the injections in all nervous cases. 

COMPOSITION, OR VEGETABLE POWDER. 

Take two pounds of the bayberry root bark, one pound of 
the inner bark of hemlock, one pound of ginger, two ounces of 
cayenne, two ounces of cloves, all pounded fine, sifted through 
a fine sieve, and well mixed together. For a dose, take a 
teaspoonful of this powder, with an equal quantity of sugar, 
and put to it half a teacupful of boiling water; to be taken 
as soon as sufficiently cool, the patient being in bed, or by the 
fire, covered with a blanket. 

This composition is calculated for the first stages, and in 
less violent attacks of disease. It is a medicine of much val- 
ue, and maj^ be safeh- used in all complaints of male or fe- 
male, and for children. It is good for relax, dysenter}^ pain 
in the stomach and bowels, a^d to remove all obstructions 
caused by cold or loss of inward heat. By taking a dose on 
going to bed, and putting a hot stone to the feet, wrapped 
in wet cloths, it will cure a bad cold, and will generally 
throw off a disease in its first stages, if repeated two or three 
times. If the symptoms are violent, with much pain, add to 
each dose a teaspoonful of No. 6, and half a teaspoonful of 
No. I ; and in nervous symptoms add half a teaspoonful of 
nerve powder, at the same time giving an injection of the 
same. If these should not answer the purpose, the patient 
must be carried through a regular course of the medicine, 
as has been before described. 

COUGH POWDER. 

Take four teaspoonfuls of skunk cabbage, two of hoar- 
hound, one of wake-robin, one of No. i, one of No. 2, one 
of bayberry bark, one of bitter root, and one of nerve pow- 
der, all made fine and well mixed together. When taken, to 
be mixed with molasses. Take half a teaspoonful of the 



BOTANIC FAMILY PHYSICIAX. 85 

powder on going to bed, keep warm, and continue taking it 
till relief is obtained, particularly on going to bed. 

Where the cough has been of long standing, it will be 
best, while taking this prescription, to go through a regular 
course of the medicine, and repeat it if necessary. 

CANCER PLASTER. 

Take the heads of red clover, and fill a brass kettle, and 
boil them in water for one hour; then take them out, and fill 
the kettle again with fresh ones, and boil them as before in 
the same liquor. Strain it off and press the heads to get out 
all the juice; then simmer it over a slow fire till it is about 
the consistence of tar, when it will be fit for use. Be care- 
ful not to let it burn. When used it should be spread on a 
piece of bladder, split and made soft. It is good to cure can- 
cers, sore lips, and all old sores. 

SALVE. 

Take one pound of beeswax, one pound of salt butter, 
one and a half pounds of turpentine, twelve ounces of balsam 
fir; melt and simmer them together, then strain it off into a 
basin, and keep it for use. It ma}^ be used to heal fresh 
wounds, burns, scalds and all bad sores after the inflamma- 
tion is allayed and the wound cleansed. 

STRENGTHENING PLASTER. 

Take burdock leaves and mullein leaves, bruise them and 
put them in a kettle with a sufiicient quantity of w^ater, and 
boil them well; then strain off the liquor, press or squeeze 
the leaves, and boil it down till about half as thick as mo- 
lasses; then add three parts of rosin and one of turpentine, 
and simmer well together until the water is evaporated; then 
pour it off into cold water, and work it. with the hands like 
shoemaker's w^ax; if too hard, put in more turpentine, when 
it will be fit for use. It should be spread on soft leather and 
applied to the part affected; and it is good to strengthen 
weakness in the back and other parts of the body. 

VOLATILE SALTS. 

Take crude sal ammoniac one ounce, pearlash two ounc- 
es, and pound each hx itself; mix them well together, and 



8G .VEIV GUIDE TO HEALTH; OR, 

keep it close stopped in a bottle for use. Bj^ damping it with 
spirit or essence will increase the strength. This, applied to 
the nose, is good for faintness, and to remove pain in the 
head; and is much better than what is general!}' sold by the 
apothecaries. 

NERVE OINTMENT. 

Take the bark of the root of bitter-sweet, two parts; of 
wormwood and chamomile, each equal, one part, when green, 
or if dr}^ moisten it with hot water; which put into horse or 
porpoise oil, or any kind of soft animal oil, and simmer them 
over a slow fire for twelve hours; then vStrain it off, and add 
one ounce of spirits of turpentine to each pound ol ointment. 
To be used for a bruise, sprain, callous, swelling, or for corns. 

POULTICE. 

Make a strong tea of raspberry leaves, or of No. 3; take 
a cracker pounded fine and slipper3'-elm bark pulverized, 
with ginger, and make a poultice of the same. This is good 
for old sores, whitlows, felons, and for bad burns, scalds, and 
parts frozen. Appl}' this poultice, and renew it at least as 
often as every twelve or twent3'-four hours, and wash with 
soap suds at every renewal, wetting it in the interim with cold 
water, or a tea of raspberry leaves, till it discharges; then ap- 
ply the salve till a cure is effected. 

INJECTIONS, OR CLYSTERS. 

This manner of administering medicine is of the greatest 
importance to the sick; it will frequently give relief when all 
other applications fail. It is supposed that the use of them 
is of great antiquity ; whether this be true or not, the using 
them to relieve the sick was certainly a very valuable 
discovery, and no doubt thousands of lives have been saved 
by it. The doctors have long been in the practice of direct- 
ing injections to be given to their patients, but they seem to 
have no other object in administering them than to cause a 
movement in the bowels; therefore it was immaterial what 
they were made of. 

According to the plan which I have adopted, there are 
certain important objects aimed at in the administration of 



BOTANIC FAMIL Y PHYSICIAN. 87 

medicine to remove disease, viz.: to raise the internal heat, 
promote perspiration, remove the canker, guard against 
mortification , and restore the digestion. To accomplish these 
objects, the medicine necessary- to remove the complaint 
must be applied to that part where the disease is seated; if in 
the stomach only, by taking the medicine it ma}^ be removed; 
but if in the bowels, the same compound must be adminis- 
tered b}^ injection. Whatever is good to cure disease when 
taken into the stomach, is likewise good for the same purpose 
if given by injection, as the grand object is to warm the 
bowels and remove the canker. In all cases of d5^sentery, 
colic, piles, and other complaints where the bowels are bad- 
ly affected, injections should never be dispensed with. The}^ 
are perfectly safe in all cases, and better that they be used 
ten times when not needed, than once neglected when they 
are. In mam^ violent cases, particularl}- where there is 
danger of mortification , patients may be relieved by adminis- 
tering medicine in this way, when there would be no chance 
in an}' other. I do, therefore, most seriousl}^ advise that 
these considerations be alwa\'s borne in mind, and that this 
important wa}^ of giving relief be never neglected where there 
is an}' chance for it to do good. In many complaints pecul- 
iar to females, they are of the greatest importance in giving 
reliefwhen^properly attended to; for which purpose it is only 
necessar}^ to repeat what has been before stated — let the rem- 
edy be applied with judgment and discretion to that part 
where the disease is seated. 

The common preparation for an injection or clyster is to 
takeateacupfulof strong tea made of No. 3; strain it off when 
hot, and add half a teaspoonful of No. 2, and a teaspoon- 
ful of No. 6; when cool enough to give, add half a teaspoon- 
ful of No. I , and the same quantity of nerve powder. Let it 
be given with a large syringe made for that purpose, or 
where this cannot be had, a bladder and pipe may be used. 
They must be repeated as occasion may require till relief is 
obtained. 

Many other articles may be used to advantage in the in- 
jections; a tea of witch-hazel and red raspberry leaves, either 
or both together, are very good in many cases. For canker. 



88 iVEW GUIDE TO HEALTH; OR, 

a tea of either the articles described under the head of No. 3, 
will answer a good purpose. When the canker is removed, 
the bowels will be left sore, in which case give injections of 
witch-hazel or raspberry -leaves tea, with slipperj-elm bark. 
When injections are used to move the bowels onl}-, No. i 
should be left out. It is alwaj'S safe to add the nerve powder, 
and if there are nervous symptoms, it must never be omitted. 

STOCK OF MEDICINE FOR A FAMILY. 

1 ounce of the Knietic Herb, 

2 ounces of Cayenne, 

Yz pound Bayberry-root l)ark, in powder, 

1 pound Poplar bark, 

1 pound of Ginger, 

1 pint of the Rheumatic Drops. 

This stock will be sufficient for a family one year, and 
with such articles as they can easily procure themselves when 
wanted, will enable them to cure any disease which a family 
of common size may be afflicted with during that time. The 
expense will be small, and much better than to employ a 
doctor, and have his extravagant bill to pa3\ 

GENERAL DIRECTIONS IN CURING OR PREVENTING DISEASE. 

1. Be careful to always keep the determining powers to 
the surface, by keeping the inward heat above tlie outward, 
or the fountain above the stream, and all will be safe. 

2. It must be recollected that heat is life, and cold death; 
or, in other words, cold is disease; that fever is a friend and 
cold the enemy ; it is therefore necessary to aid the friend and 
oppose the eneni}- in order to restore health. 

3. That the construction and organization of the human 
frame is in all men essentiall}' the same, being formed of the 
four elements. Karth and water constitute the solids of the 
bod}^, which is made active b}' fire and air. Heat, in a pe- 
culiar manner, gives life and motion to the w^hole, and when 
entirel}' overpowered from w^hatever cause by the other ele- 
ments, death ensues. 

4. A perfect state of health arises from a due balance of 
temperature of the elements, and when it is b}^ any means 



BOTANIC FA 31 I L Y PHYSICIAN. 89 

destroyed, the body is more or less disordered. When this 
is the case, there is alwa3's a diminution of heat, or an in- 
crease of the power of cold, which is its opposite. 

5. All disorders are caused b}- obstructed perspiration, 
which ma}' be produced b}" a great varietj' of means; that 
medicine, therefore, must be administered that is best calcu- 
lated to remove obstructions and promote perspiration. 

6. The food taken into the stomach, and being well di- 
gested, nourishes the system and keeps up that heat on which 
life depends; but b}^ constantly taking food into the stomach, 
which is sometimes not suitable for nourishment, it becomes 
foul, so that the food is not well digested; this causes the 
bod}' to lose its heat, and disease follows. 

7. Canker is caused b}- cold, and there is always more 
or less of it in all cases of disease; continue to make use of 
such articles as are calculated to remove it as long as there is 
any appearance of disorder. 

8. When the disease is removed, make free use of those 
things that are good to restore the digestive powers, not for- 
getting to keep up the inward heat b}- giving occasionalh' 
No. 2. 

9. Keep alwa3's in mind that an ounce of prevention is 
better than a pound of cure; and give medicine on the first 
appearance of disorder, before it becomes seated, for it may 
be then easih' thrown off, and much sickness and expense 
prevented. 

10. In case of a fever increase the internal heat by giv- 
ing hot medicine, so as to overpower the cold, when the nat- 
ural heat will return inwardly, and the cold will pervade the 
whole surface of the bod)^, as the heat had done before; this 
is what is called the turn of the fever. 

11. If No. I should sicken and not puke, there ma}' be 
two causes for it, viz.: the coldness or acidit}- of the stomach; 
for the first give No. 2 more freeh', and for the latter dissolve 
a piece of pearlash about the size of a large pea in a wine 
glass of water, and let them take it, which will counteract 
the acidit}'. If this fails, make use of the steam, which will 
open the pores, extract the cold, and set the medicine in 
operation. 



90 JVBIV GUIDE TO HEALTH; OR, 

12. In giving medicine to children, give about one-half, 
a little more or less according to their age, of the quantity 
directed for a grown person. Be particular to offer them 
drink often, especially young children who cannot ask for it. 

13. Dj'sentery is caused b}^ canker on the bowels, for 
which make free use of the tea of No. 3, with No. 2, and 
give the same by injection in the first of the disease, and af- 
terwards give the syrup, No. 5, to strengthen the stomach 
and bowels, and restore the digestive powers. 

14. The piles is canker below the reach of medicine 
given in the usual waj' , and must be cured by using a wash 
of No. 3, made strong, and b}' giving injections of the same 
with No. 2. What is called bearing-down pains in women 
is from the same cause, and must be relieved b}- injections 
made of witch-hazel or red raspberry leaf tea, steeped strong, 
with No. 2, strained. If this does not give relief, go through 
a regular course of medicine. 

15. Women in a state of pregnancy ought to be carried 
through a regular course of the medicine, especially when 
near the time of delivery. Wlien in travail give raspberry 
leaf tea, with a teaspoonful of the composition powders, or 
No. 2, and keep them in a perspiration. After delivery 
keep up the internal heat by giving the composition powder, 
or No. 2. This will prevent cold and after pains; if there 
should be symptoms of fever, carr}" them through a regular 
course of the medicine, which will guard against all alarm- 
ing complaints peculiar in such cases. 

16. In all cases of a burn, scald, or being frozen, wrap 
up the part in cloths wet with cold water, often wetting them 
with the same to prevent their becoming dry, and be careful 
to give hot medicine, such as No. 2, or the composition 
powders, to keep up the inward heat. Pursue this plan for 
twelve hours, and then, if the skin is off, apply the poultice 
or salve. If there should be convulsions or fever, a regular 
course of the medicine must without fail be attended to. 

17. When a scald is over the whole or greater part of 
the bod}^ apply cotton cloth of several thicknesses to the 
whole body, wet with the tea of raspberry leaves, thoroughly 
wetting it with the same to prevent it from becoming dry. 



BOTANIC FA MIL Y PHYSICIAN. 91 

and give the hot medicine. When the scald is under the 
stocking, or an}^ other tight garment, let it remain on, add- 
ing more cotton cloths, and wet the whole with cold water 
as often as the smart of the burn returns. 

i8. If the skin is oif, or incase of an old burn, to guard 
against canker, apply a poultice of cracker and slipper\'-elm 
bark, made with a tea of raspberry leaves, washing it with 
soap suds when the poultice is changed, and then with the 
same tea. When any part is frozen, the same method must 
be taken as for a burn. 

19. For a fresh wound, cut, or bruise, wash immediately 
with cold water, and bind up in cloths wet with the same; 
keep a hot stone at the feet, and take medicine to raise a 
gentle perspiration; continue this till the inflammation is al- 
layed, and the wound perfecth^ cleansed, then apply the 
poultice or salve, till healed. The air must be kept from all 
wounds or sores, as it will cause pain, and prevent them from 
healing. 

20. In sudden and deadl}- attacks, such as spotted or 
yellow fevers, fits, drowned persons, croup, etc. , the heat 
and activit}- of the patient are so much diminished that the 
common administration will not gi\-e relief; the determining 
power to the surface being so small, through the loss of in- 
ternal heat, that it will not give the medicine operation, as 
its effects are resisted and counterbalanced by the pressure 
of the external air. To counteract this pressure, keep the 
room, by aid of a good fire, about as warm as a summer 
heat; and more fulh' to rarify and lighten the air, and aid 
the operation of the medicine, make a free use of the steam 
bath, and keep the patient shielded by a blanket; at the same 
time give occasionally^ Nos. i and 2. This course should be 
unremittingly persevered in till the patient is relieved. -'' 

21. If the glands are dry, so that there is no moisture in 
the mouth, or if the patient is much pressed for breath, give 

_ *Keep always in mind to give the patient fresh air when steaming, and while 
going through a course of medicine, bv making a quick fire of shavings, or very 
light wood, and opening a -n-indow at the same time, as this will immediatelv 
change the foul air in the room by dri\-ing it out. and supplj-ing its place bv the 
fresh air from the surrounding atmosphere. This mode is essential in all disorders, 
both in hot weather and in cold. Steaming is not essential in hot weather, except 
when going through a course of medicine; after which, a shower bath is good in 
the morning, as it lets down the outward heat, which gives power to the inward. 



92 NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH; OR, 

a strong tea of No. 2, sweetened, and repeat it till the mouth 
becomes moist. No. 3 should not be used while the mouth 
is dr}-; if an}^ is used, add a large portion of No. 2. 

22. Be careful not to have the outward heat too high, 
b}^ too mau}^ clothes or fire, for if this is the case, it will cause 
a balance of the outward and inward heat, and will prevent 
the medicine from operating by stopping the circulation, and 
the patient will be very much distressed. When this hap- 
pens, throw cold vinegar on the face and stomach, and give 
more hot medicine, which will let down the outward heat 
and raise the inward. 

23. If the patient is restless, wet the head and body with 
cold vinegar, and if there are convulsions or spasms, give the 
nerv'e pow^der with No. 2. Injections must also be used. 

24. Never make use of physic in cases where there is 
canker inside, for it will draw the determining powders in- 
ward and increase the disease. I have seen so many bad ef- 
fects from giving physic, that I have disapproved the use of 
it altogether; but if any is given after the operation, be care- 
ful to keep up the inward heat so as to cause a free perspira- 
tion. 

25. Avoid all minerals used as medicine, such as mer- 
cury, arsenic, antimony, calomel, preparations of copper or 
lead, and also nitre and opium. They are all poison, and 
deadl}^ enemies to health. 

26. Beware of bleeding and blisters, as they can never 
do an\' good, and ma3^ be productive of much harm ; the}' 
are contrar}- to nature, and strengthen the power of the ene- 
m}' to health. Setons and issues should also be avoided, as 
the}' only tend to waste away the strength of the patient 
without doing any good; it is a much better way to remove 
the cause by a proper administration of medicine, which will 
be more certain and safe in its effects. 

27. Be careful not to make use of saltpetre in any way 
whatever; it is the greatest cold of anything that can be 
taken into the stomach, and was never intended for any other 
purpose than to destroy life. It is a very bad practice to put 
it on meat, for it destroys all the juices, which are the nour- 
ishing part, and leaves the flesh hard and difficult to digest. 



BOTANIC FAMIL Y PHYSICIAN. 93 

28. Never eat meat that is tainted or an}' wa}' injured, 
as it will engender disease; for one ounce in the stomach is 
worse than the effluvia of a whole carcass. Eat salt provis- 
ions in hot weather, and fresh in cold. 

29. Be careful about drinking cold water in very hot 
weather, as it will tend to let down the inward heat so sud- 
denly' as to give full power to the cold. If this should hap- 
pen, its fatal effects maj^ be prevented by giving the hot medi- 
cine to raise the inward heat above the outward. Be careful 
also not to cool suddenly after being ver}^ warm in conse- 
quence of uncommon exercise. 

30. Remember that regularity in diet is very important 
to preserve health, and that if more food is taken into the 
stomach than is well digested, it clogs the system and causes 
disease. Therefore be cautious not to eat too much at a 
time, and have your food well cooked. This is vers- im- 
portant to those who have weakl}^ constitutions. 

31. Ardent spirit is slow poison; it is taken to stimulate, 
but this effect is soon over, and much use of it destroys the 
tone of the stomach, injures the digestive powers, and causes 
disease. It is therefore much better, when the feelings re- 
quire anything of the kind, to make use of stimulating med- 
icine,, such as Nos. 2 and 6, for these will answer a far better 
purpose. 

By a strict observance of the foregoing directions, 3'ou 
may save much pain and expense, and enjoy good health 
and long life, which is the earnest wish of the writer. 

TO MAKE MILK PORRIDGE. 

Put a quart of water in a kettle with a proper quantity of 
salt, and while heating, mix a gill of flour in a bow4 with 
water^ made thick, and when the water is boiling hot, drop 
this into it with a spoon; let it be well boiled, then add half 
a pint of milk. This to be eaten while under the operation 
of the medicine, and is also good food for the sick at an}' other 
time, especiall}' while the stomach is weak. 

TO MAKE CHICKEN BROTH. 

Take a chicken and cut it in pieces, put the gizzard in 
with it, opened and cleaned, but not peeled. Boil it till the 



94 NBH' GUIDE TO HEALTH; OR, 

meat drops from the bone. Begin to give the broth as soon 
as there is an}^ strength in it, and when boiled, eat some of 
the meat. I^et it be well seasoned. This may be given in- 
stead of the milk porridge, and is very good for weak pa- 
tients, particularly in cases of the d^-sentery. 

When the operation of medicine is gone through, I have 
said that the patient may eat any kind of nourishing food 
his appetite should crave, but the best thing is to take a slice 
of salt pork boiled, or beef steak, well done, and eat it with 
pepper-sauce; or take cayenne, vinegar and salt, mixed to- 
gether, and eat with it, which is very good to create an appe- 
tite and assist the digesture. 



Description of Several Cases of Disease, with Directions 
How they May be Cured. 

FELONS. 

This sore always comes on a joint, and is often caused b}^ 
some strain or bruise, which makes a leak in the joint or 
muscle, and the sooner it has vent the better. If it is brought 
to a head by poulticing, the skin is often so thick that it 
will be caused to break through the back of the hand before 
it can get through the skin on the inside. The best way to 
give it vent that I have ever found, is to burn a small piece 
of punk, the bigness of half a pea, on the place affected. If 
you think the flesh is dead down to the matter, you ma}^ 
prick the point of a needle into the dead skin and raise it up 
and cut out a piece under the needle sufficient to let out the 
matter; then apply poultice or salve. If painful, wrap it in 
cloths of several thicknesses, wet with cold water, and repeat 
this as often as it becomes hot or painful. Take the compo- 
sition or warm medicine- to keep up an inward heat. 

If the sore has been several days coming, and appears 
nearly ripe, apply a piece of unslacked lime to the part af- 
fected, wrap it up, and wet the cloth with cold water till the 
lime is slacked, and repeat this till the skin looks of a purple 
color; then open it as before directed. This method is more 
safe and quick in causing a cure than laying it open with a 



BO TANIC FA MIL V PH} 'SICIAN. 95 

knife, as is the practice of some doctors. B3' cutting the live 
flesh, it forms a leak and often spoils the joint, but b}- sear- 
ing them b}^ either of the above modes, it secures and pre- 
vents the leak, and makes a speedy cure. 

FREEZES AND BURNS. 

These two names of disorder are one and the same thing, 
and require the same treatment. Take a cloth wet in cold 
water, and wrap several thicknesses round or laid on to the 
part, to be kept wet as often as the pain increases. Give 
warm medicine inside. If the scald is dangerous, carr}- 
them through a regular course of medicine as though the}- 
had a fever, or an}- other acute disorder; keep the cloth or 
poultice on to secure it from the air, from twelve to fourteen 
hours, till the soreness or pain is entirel}^ gone. If the skin 
is off, put on a poultice of flour bread, wet with any of the 
articles composing No. 3, and keep it wet with this tea or 
water till the sore discharges; then wash with soap suds; 
when dressed, wash with tea of No. 3, and continue the 
poultice or salve until a cure is effected. 

A freeze is direct cold, and a burn is attracted cold; for as 
much as the heat opens the pores more than usual, the cold 
follows and closes them as much more than the}- were before 
the operation of the heat; this stops the perspiration from go- 
ing through the surface, and the water collects under the 
grain of the skin, which is called blistering; the water ap- 
plied in the cloth on the outside opens the pores and lets the 
water out by perspiration, and the grain adheres to the skin; 
the pain ceases and the cure is completed. 

CURE OF MY BROTHER'S SON OF A SCALD. 

He was about fourteen years of age, and was taking off 
from the fire a kettle of boiling cider. The leg of the kettle, 
caught by the log, tipped it forward and poured the cider 
boiling hot into a large bed of live embers, which covered his 
bare feet with this hot mass. He was obliged to hold on till 
the kettle was set on the floor, and then jumped into a pail 
of cold w^ater, and stood there until his father procured some 
cloths, which he immediately wrapped his feet up in. His 



96 ^'EJV GUIDE TO HEALTH; OR, 

father lay by the fire to attend to pour on water, to keep the 
cloths filled, which keeps the air from the surface, and eases 
the pain, for as the water w^astes and lets the air to the burn, 
the pain will increase; but b}^ pursuing this course for about 
two hours, the pain abated, and the boy fell asleep. Water 
was poured on the cloth but two or three times during the 
rest of the night, and in the morning preparation was made 
to dress the wound, when, to the surprise of all present, no 
blister had arisen, nor a particle of skin broken. He put on 
his stockings and shoes as usual, and went about his work, 
perfectl}^ well. 

CASE OF A BOY WHO WAS BADLY SCALDED. 

A lady took off from the fire a teakettle filled with boil- 
ing hot water, when her little son, about six 3^ears old, 
stepped on the bail and turned the contents onto both his 
feet, and falling, one hand went into the teakettle. Both feet 
and one hand were badly scalded. I happened to be present, 
and immediately tore up cloth sufiicient to do up each part, 
wetting them with cold water. I then put him in bed and 
gave him some warm medicine, put a warm stone at his feet, 
and wet the cloths as often as he complained of pain. In 
aVjout two hours he fell asleep, after which, two or three 
times wetting the cloths kept him easy through the night. 
In the morning, on taking off the cloths, there was no ap- 
pearance of blisters, nor any skin broken; and he put on his 
shoes and stockings and appeared as well as before the acci- 
dent happened. It had been the declared opinion of the famil}- 
the night before, that the boy would not be able to go to 
school for a fortnight; but on finding him well in the morn- 
ing, were hardly willing to believe their own senses, or that 
the child had been scalded. 

GENERAL REMARKS ON BURNS. 

Burns are the most easily cured, if rightly managed and 
understood, of any wounds I ever attended; and are the most 
difiicult and dangerous when not understood and wrongly- 
treated. How^ often have we seen these sores continue all 
winter and could not be healed, as also burns caused by 



BOTANIC FAMIL Y PHYSICIAN. 97 

blisters made with Spanish flies, which amount to the same 
thing? By not being treated in a proper manner in season, 
the canker gets in and eats out the flesh, after which what 
is called proud flesh fills up the sore. The doctor applies his 
sugar of lead, vitriol and red precipitate to eat out the dead 
flesh. This affects the cords and draws them out of shape, and 
many times makes a sore that they cannot cure, which ter- 
minates in a mortifying canker sore. M}^ friends, if you wish 
to avoid all this trouble, attend to what belongs to 3-our 
peace and comfort, before it is hidden from your eyes; that 
is, attend to the canker, which always awaits such cases, 
and where the skin is off, in all cases of burns or blisters, ap- 
pfy a poultice of cracker, or elm bark, wet with a tea of No. 
3, until the canker is gone. Sometimes add ginger; if the 
inflammation is high add a little of No. 2 with the ginger, 
keeping the poultice wet with cold w^ater; when the sore dis- 
charges, apply salve till a cure is effected. 

I shall continue my remarks on burns, by showing the 
evil consequences arising from blistering. Not long since I 
knew a case where a doctor drew a blister on a child's breast 
up to the neck, for being stuffed at the lungs. It lingered 
with this scald near its vitals about a week. I was then called 
to visit the child and found it to be dying. The mother 
asked me what I thought was the matter with it. I took off 
the dressing and showed her the mortified flesh all over the 
blister, and told her that was the disorder. She seemed 
much surprised, and I then asked her if the child had been 
scalded and it had mortifled in like manner, whether she 
would have had any doubt of its being the cause of her 
child's death? She said that she should not. I gave her my 
opinion that it was exactly a similar case, and that the 
child's death was caused as much b}^ the blister as it would 
have been by a scald. The child died before morning. I 
had declined doing anything for it, as I was satisfied that 
I could do it no good, and if I had made the attempt it would 
have been said that I killed it. 

I have seen many cases where I was perfectly satisfied 
that the patients died in consequence of blisters, not onh' on 
the stomach, but on the head. In many that I have wit- 



98 NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH; OR, 

nessed, where a blister was drawn on the head, as soon as it 
began to draw their senses were gone, and did not return 
till the}^ died raving or stupefied. More than half the cases 
where the head was shaved and blistered that have come 
within my knowledge have died. I never could see any 
reason wh}^ a scald on the head or body, done on purpose, 
should have a tendenc}^ to effect a cure when the person is 
sick, and the same thing happening to them by accident, 
when well, should destroy their health or cause their death. 
If a person should have their head or stomach so badly 
scalded as to take off the skin, we should consider them in 
the most dangerous condition ; but nothing is said about it 
when drawn on purpose. I shall leave it to the reader to 
reconcile, if he can, this inconsistenc3^ I have known most 
dangerous stranguries caused b}' blisters on the sides and 
limbs, and those who applied them did not know the cause, 
and I have been applied to for relief. 

MORTIFICATION OF THE LIMBS. 

1 was called on to go on board a vessel at Eastport, to see 
'a young man who had had a block fall from mast head on 
his foot, weighing thirteen and a-half pounds; which bruised 
all his toes to pieces except the little one. The accident hap- 
pened on Friday, and I did not see him till the Tuesday fol- 
lowing, during which he had neither eat nor slept. His 
nerves were much affected, and he had spasms and convulsions 
through the whole system. I took off the dressing from his 
foot, and found it black and the smell very offensive: The 
captain of the vessel, who appeared to be very anxious about 
him, asked me if I could help his foot. I told him that I must 
first trs^ to save his life, for his whole body was as much 
disordered as his foot . He requested me to do what I thought 
best. I put a poultice of meal on his foot, and wet the cloth 
with cold water to allay the heat; then gave him medicine 
the same as though he had been attacked with a nervous fe- 
ver. The captain attended him through the night, and I 
went to see him the next morning, and found him much bet- 
ter. The captain said he was astonished at the operation of 



BOTANIC FAMIL Y PHYSICIAN. 99 

the medicine, for that his vomiting and sweating had carried 
off all the pain in his bod}'- and foot, and had also reconciled 
the nerves. 

I unbound his foot and found that the black and yellow 
streaks up the leg had disappeared, and on the foot all the 
flesh that was alive seemed to receive fresh support from the 
body, and the living and dead flesh appeared as though two 
colors were painted by the side of each other. I then made 
a lye of pearlash in warm water, and soaked his feet in it, 
which caused a slimy glaze all over his foot; this took awa}- 
all the offensive smell, and I washed it with vinegar to kill 
the alkali and keep it from irritating the skin. The acid 
cleared off all the slimy matter, so that it wiped clean. I 
then cut off the great toe at the middle joint, and the two 
next at the upper joint, and set the next, which was broken. 
I cut none of the flesh but what w^as dead, to stop in part the 
putrefaction. I then put on another poultice and ordered it 
to be kept wet with cold water, and a warm stone wrapped 
in a wet cloth to be put to his feet to keep a steam, giving 
him warm medicine inside to keep up the inward heat; and 
b}^ wetting the foot with cold water, it kept the determining 
power to the surface, thus raising the fountain and lowering 
the stream. By this treatment it becomes impossible that 
mortification can go from the limbs to the bod}' , an}- more 
than a log that floats over the dam can go back again into 
the pond, when the fountain is kept full. The next day I 
dressed his foot and found that the dead flesh had digested 
very much; I again soaked it in pearlash, and then washed 
in vinegar as before, which was of great service in alla}'ing 
the bad smell. I then caused him to be carried through a 
regular course of medicine, which completely restored his 
bodily health; his appetite was good, and all pain and sore- 
ness abated, so that he took food regularly, and lost no sleep 
afterwards till he got entirely well, which was in about four 
weeks. The captain was aver}- good nurse, and was faith- 
ful in attendance on the young man till he got well, and ex- 
pressed the highest gratitude for my attention and success; 
and as a proof of his confidence in the medicine, he pur- 
chased a right, for which he paid me twenty silver dollars. 



100 NBIV GUIDE TO HEALTH; OR, 

observing at the same time that he never paid for anything 
with more satisfaction. 

OLD CANKER SORES ON THE LEGS. 

When I was a young man I was much troubled through 
the winter, for many years, wdth sores on vo^y legs. At the 
commencement of cold weather, if I broke the grain on my 
shin, it would become a bad sore, and continue through the 
winter; the canker w^ould get into it and eat to the bone, and 
sometimes spread under the grain like a burn, and feel the 
same, being extremely sore, with stings and twinges like a 
cancer. These sores were so troublesome that it led me to 
invent a cure. Finding the cause to be canker, I took some of 
the articles composing No. 3, steeped strong, and washed 
the part affected with it. If there was a bad smell, I first 
washed the sore with strong soap suds, taking off all the 
loose skin w^hich was blistered with canker}^ humor, and then 
washed with a tea of No. 3 to destroy the canker and harden 
the sore, sometimes wetting it with the drops. If the in- 
flammation runs high, and the sore spreads fast, I put into 
it a pinch of fine No. 2; then put on a poultice of white 
bread and ginger, wet wdth the above tea, wrapping it up 
with several thicknesses of cloths wet with cold water; wet- 
ting them as often as dry, so as to be painful, and did not let 
the sore come to the air for twenty-four hours. In this time, 
if kept well wet and w^arm, it will discharge ripe matter, and 
the inflammation and canker will abate. When next dressed, 
wash first with soap suds as before, then with the tea; if the 
soreness is gone, 3'ou may apply the healing salve, wdth the 
wet cloths, if going to bed, to keep out the air; put occasion- 
alh' a hot stone wrapped in wet cloths to the feet to keep up 
a steam, wetting the sore if painful with cold water. 
Take medicine to keep up the inward heat, such as compo- 
sition or hot bitters, and when these do not answer the pur- 
pose, go through a course of the medicine, and repeat as oc- 
casion ma}^ require. This method, if persevered in, I sel- 
dom knew to fail of success. 

I was called to attend a case of this kind not long since, 
where the inflammation and pain were very great, and fast 



BOTANIC FAMILY PHYSICIAX. 101 

spreading under the grain of the skin; there had been ap- 
plied an elm and ginger poultice, made with tea of No. 3. I 
opened and onl}^ added a pinch of No. 2, and laid on the 
poultice again, putting on a wet cloth; and ordered it kept 
wet with cold water till next morning, when on dressing it, 
found the inflammation abated, the sore discharged ripe mat- 
ter, and by two dressings more of the same, the cure was 
completed. 

CASE OF THE BITE OF A RAT, SUPPOSED TO BE MAD. 

Not long since I was sent for to attend a man who had 
been bitten on one of his eyebrows b}^ a rat, supposed 
to be mad. The .wound healed in a few days, then turned 
purple round it, as though the blood had settled, and turned 
more black, until he was blind. He was sick at the stom- 
ach, and had a high fever. I carried him through a course 
of the medicine, but with little advantage. The swelling 
and dark color progressed till he was about the color of a 
blackberry pie. These appearances led me to suspect that 
the madness of the rat was caused by eating ratsbane, and 
communicated this poison to the man b}^ the bite, as he ap- 
peared the same as a person I had once seen who had been 
killed b}^ taking that poison. I then washed his face with 
a strong tea of Nos. i and 2, and gave the same inward with 
No. 3, carried him through another course of medicine, 
keeping a cloth on his face wet with the tea as before, to 
keep out the air when under the operation of the medicine, 
to sweat his face and throw the poison out. I kept him in a 
sweat for several days, occasionally with his face secured 
from the air, which method had the desired effect of bring- 
ing the poison out. B3' continuall}^ keeping up the perspi- 
ration, the swelling abated, but whenever this was not well 
attended to, so as to keep the determining powers to the 
surface, the spasms would increase to such a degree that his 
life was frequently despaired of. He was carefully attended 
in this manner about one month before I could determine in 
m}^ own mind whether the disease or nature would gain the 
victor}-; after which time he began gradualh' to gain his 
health, and in about six months he appeared to be clear of 



102 A^EIF GUIDE TO HEALTH; OR, 

the poison. The man was sixty 5^ ears of age, and the acci- 
dent happening in the fall of the 3'ear, it was much more 
difficult to conquer this cold and deadl}^ poison, than it would 
have been in warm weather. This case convinced me that 
the cause of mad rats and mad cats is owing to the rats hav- 
ing been poisoned b}' ratsbane; the cats eat them and become 
affected bj^ the poison, which makes them mad, and by bit- 
ing the people communicate the poison from which many fa- 
tal consequences have frequently happened. 

BAD WOUND IN THE EYE CURED. 

While I was at Eastport, Maine, a man was cutting turf 
about twelve miles from that place, and accidentally had a 
pitchfork stuck into one of his eyes by a person who was 
pitching the turf near him. It passed b}' the e3^eball and 
stuck fast in the skull, so that it was with considerable exer- 
tion that he could draw it out. The e3'e swelled and closed 
upimmediatel}', and the people were much frightened and 
sent for me, but it so happened that I could not go. I gave 
directions to the man who came after me to return and carrj^ 
him through a course of medicine as soon as possible, keep- 
ing several thicknesses of cloth wet with cold water on his 
eye, and not open it for twelve hours, and to keep him in a 
perspiration the whole time. This was faithfully attended 
to, and on opening the wound after the above time, the 
swelling was all gone, the e3'e was open, and a large quan- 
tit3^ of blood was in the wet cloth which had been drawn from 
the eye. The3' continued the wet cloth and gave him warm 
medicine inside, keeping him in a gentle perspiration for the 
next twent3'-four hours, which cleared the eye of all the 
blood, restored the sight, and amended his health that he 
was well in about a week, to the astonishment of all who saw 

him. 

CANCER SORES, 

A concise and general treatise on this violent and often 
fatal disease ma3^ conve3^ some useful ideas on the subject. 
The cause of this sore is very little understood. In all sores' 
of an eating nature there is more or less canker, according to 
their violence. A cancer is the highest degree of canker, 



BOTANIC FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 103 

being the most powerful effects of cold, and consequently the 
greatest degree of inflammation; therefore the remedies 
ought to be those of a warming nature as the greatest pre- 
ventives against canker. Whenever a violent inflammation 
is discovered, it is supposed that heat causes the difficulty; 
but the fact is, it is only evidence of a war between heat and 
cold, for there is no inflammation where there is perfect 
health, because heat then bears complete rule, and no dis- 
ease can take place until the cold makes an attack on the 
bod}^ which causes an unnatural heat, to oppose an 
unnatural cold. Wherever the cold takes possession, the 
inflammation shows itself, b}- stopping the circulation; 
the effect is swelling, inflamed callous, arising from 
some leak caused b}^ the natural course being stopped. 
If it suppurates and discharges, it is called ulcer, bile, and 
the like, and the canker goes off with the putrefaction. If 
the leak is so slow as to callous as fast as they discharge it, it 
becomes a hard, dead lump of flesh, and not having circula- 
tion enough to support it, it begins to rot. Here the canker 
shows its eating nature ; being seated in the dead flesh, and 
eating on the live flesh, which is intermixed with it, it causes 
pain and distress in proportion as the bod}- is filled with cold- 
ness and canker; if this is sufficient to keep the power above 
the natural circulation, the patient will continue in this dis- 
tressed situation, being eaten up alive, until worn out with 
the pain, death comes as a friend to relieve them . This is the 
natural termination of this dreadful malady, which is far 
better than to combine with it the common form of practice 
in using arsenic, which onh' helps to eat up and distress the 
patient. 

In order to give a more correct idea of the dangerous effect 
of making use of arsenic in cancers, I shall make a short ex- 
tract from Thacher's Dispensator}- on the subject: "Arsenic 
has long been known to be the basis of the celebrated cancer 
powder. It has been sprinkled in substance on the ulcer, 
but this mode of using it is excessivel}^ painful and extreme- 
ly dangerous, fatal effects having been produced from its ab- 
sorption. This fact I have known in several instances where 
Davidson's asrents and others have undertaken to draw out 



104 NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH; OR, 

cancers when the patient would absorb enough of this poison, 
which, seating on the Kings, caused them to die with the con- 
sumption in the course of one 5^ear. ' ' My wish in exposing 
this nostrum is to benefit those who may be ignorant of the 
imposition, for it may be relied on as a truth, that there is 
more or less poison in all those burning plasters used to cure 
cancers, and I would advise all to beware of them; it will be 
much safer to risk the cancer than the cancer quack. 

The principal object aimed at is to take out the bunch, 
and in doing that by the above method, a worse evil is in- 
oculated, which is more fatal than the cancer. The tumor 
is a mixture of live and dead flesh, and is often under a live 
skin; if it isnecessar}' to make an incision through the live 
skin in order to dissolve the dead flesh, the best way is to 
burn a piece of punk on the place, and repeat it till the flesh 
is dead enough to suppurate. The smart will be but two or 
three minutes, and not so painful as the arsenic for the same 
time, which will last for twelve hours. Where the tumor is 
small, the cancer balsam will be found sufiicient, by repeat- 
ing the plaster for two or three weeks, to take out the dead 
flesh and remove the canker; after this is done, apply a 
ginger and elm poultice wet with a tea of No. 3. If the sys- 
tem appears to be generally affected with the cancer humor, 
carr}' them through a common course of medicine, and re- 
peat the same while attending to the sore. 

I had a cancer on ni}- foot about the bigness of an Indian 
corn, which had troubled me twice b}' acute darting pains 
and twinges. I cured it by applying a plaster of the cancer 
balsam, repeating it twice at each time. Where there is dead 
flesh under the skin, it is best to burn the punk first and then 
apply the poultice or balsam ; and it is also recommended to 
always give medicine to eradicate the canker from the sys- 
tem, both before and after the operation on the sore. 

Three cancers on the breast have come under ni}' care 
that I could not cure. One of them was as large as a half- 
peck measure, and grew fast to the breast bone. I carried 
the woman through a course of medicine several time^, and 
applied a poultice of butternut shucks to dissolve the dead 
flesh, and continued this course for some months, until the 



BOTANIC FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 105 

bunch had more than half dissolved, and had grown off from 
the bone so that it was quite loose, and I was in hopes to 
have effected a cure, but she was taken with a fever in m}' 
absence and died. The other two I could relieve and keep 
them free from pain, making them comfortable as long as 
they lived, but nature was too far exhausted to complete a 
cure. I have had under my care many other cases of cancers 
on the breast and other parts of the bod}-, w^hich I had no 
difficulty in curing in the manner before stated. 

I shall conclude this subject by a few general remarks, 
viz. : Guard thoroughly against canker and coldness. At- 
tend to the canker by a course of medicine, and repeat it. 
Use the ginger poultice if the inflammation is great, putting 
some No. 2 raw in the sore; then appl}" the poultice, keeping- 
it wet with cold water, not forgetting the composition and 
No. 2 inside at the same time. Let all poisonous drugs, 
burning plasters and caustics alone. Attend faithfully to 
the directions here given; honor 3'our own judgment; keep 
your money, and bid defiance to doctors. 

PILES; HOW CURED. 

•I was called to attend an elderl}^ man in South Reading, 
who had been confined to the house, and much of the time 
to his bed, for seven wrecks, with the piles. Seven doctors 
attended him before I was sent for, and he had continued to 
grow worse. The doctors had operated on one side, and 
said the}' must on the other; it was their opinion, as well as 
his, that he w^as in a decline. The side that the}^ had oper- 
ated upon was much worse to cure than the other. I car- 
ried him through a regular course of medicine twice in three 
days, when he was able to go out of doors. The injection 
composed of No. 3, steeped, and a small quantity of No. 2 
were used; warm tallow w^as applied freel}- several times in 
the day, sometimes washing externall}' wnth the same tea. 
He had been dieted ver}^ low; I restored his digestive powers, 
and recovered his appetite; his sores healed, and his general 
health amended to such a degree that he was no more con- 
fined with that complaint. A little tallow used when going 



106 NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH; OR, 

to bed prevents piles and chafes in old and yonng. Re- 
member this. 

SORE HEADS IN CHILDREN (Scald Heads). 

This sore often comes after having had the itch; kernels 
form in the neck; it is contagious, being caused b}- canker 
and putrefaction. The most effectual wa}^ to cure this dis- 
ease is to carr}^ them through a course of medicine several 
times, as the case may require, previous to which the head 
should be oiled and covered with cabbage leaves; or draw a 
bladder over the head to keep out the cold air. The head 
should be covered so as to make it sweat as much as possi- 
ble, in order to dissolve the hard scabs. After lying all 
night the smell will be offensive; wash the head in soapsuds; 
when clean, wash it also with a tea of No. 3, after which wash 
with a tea of No. i. Sometimes annoint it with the rheumatic 
drops and nerve ointment, and let it come to the air by degrees. 
Be careful to guard the stomach by giving composition, warm 
bitters, etc. The ointment, drops and No. i , in powder or 
juice, may be occasionally used together or separate. Con- 
tinue to wash with soap suds, and then with No. 3 occasion- 
all}^ until a cure is effected. 

SORE BREASTS. 

Some women suffer ver}' much from this complaint, 
which is caused by cold, occasioning obstructions in the 
glands of the breast. When they are swelled, bathe with the 
rheumatic drops, or pepper vinegar; if this does not remove 
the swelling, and it should be necessary to bring it to ahead, 
apply a poultice of lily root, made thick with ginger or slip- 
pery elm bark; at the same time give the composition pow- 
der or No. 2, to keep up the inward heat. If the woman is 
sick, carry her through a regular course of the medicine, 
which will remove the complaint and restore her to health 
in a short time. I have cured many who were very bad b}- 
pursuing the above plan, and never met with difficulty. I 
attended a woman in Portsmouth who had both breasts badly 
swelled. She was sitting by the window with it up, and 
could hardly get her breath ; she could not bear to have any 



BOTANIC FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 107 

fire in the room, complaining that it made her faint. I told 
her that if I could not make her bear heat, I could do her no 
good. I gave her some No. 2 to raise the inward heat, and 
caused a good fire to be made in the room. The inward 
heat gained as fast as the outward, and in one hour she 
could bear as warm a fire as I could. I carried her through 
three regular courses of the medicine in five da3'S, and at the 
same time applied the lily poultice, which brought them to 
a head without pain, and she was soon well. 

TO STOP BLEEDING. 

Internal bleeding is from the stomach or lungs, and is 
caused by canker or soreness of the stomach; it often takes 
place ver}^ suddenly, and creates much alarm. The patient 
sometimes trembles with fright, and often has fits of the 
ague, which is caused by the cold increasing in proportion 
to the loss of blood. In the first place, shield them from the 
air with a blanket, by the fire, and give the hottest medicine 
you have; if nothing better can be had, give hot water or an 3^ 
kind of hot tea, and get a perspiration as soon as possible; 
then appl}^ the steam bath, giving ginger tea, or No. 2 if 
3^ou have it, if not, black pepper. As soon as there is an 
equilibrium in the circulation, there will be no more pressure 
of the blood to the stomach or lungs than to the extremities, 
and the bleeding will cease. It has been my practice in 
cases of this kind to give some of the rheumatic drops, shield 
them frotn the air with a blanket, placed by the fire; then 
give a dose of the composition pow^ders, and No. 2; and if 
this does not answer the purpose, give a dose of No. i, 
which, with the steam, I never knew fail of stopping the 
blood, and by giving medicine to remove the canker and re- 
store the digestive powers, I have always been able to effect 
a cure. The same application will answer for other weaken- 
ing and alarming complaints in women. 

External bleeding, caused b}^ wounds in the limbs, ma}^ 
be stopped b}^ placing the wound higher than the bod3^ 
One of m3^ sons cut his leg ver3^ badl3^; I placed him on the 
floor and took his foot in my lap; as soon as the wound was 
higher than the bod3', the bleeding ceased. I then poured 



lOS NEW GUIDE TO HEALTEI; OR, 

on cold water till the wound was white; then put in a few 
drops of No. 6, took two or three stitches to bring the wound 
together, dressed it with salve, and it soon got well with ver}' 
little soreness. Another case was of a little girl who cut oif 
the main artery of the middle finger, and it bled ver}^ fast. I 
put my thumb above the wound and stopped the blood; then 
poured on cold water with ni}^ other hand, and washed the 
wound well; then placed her hand above her head, which 
prevented it from bleeding till I could get ready to dress the 
wound. It bled no more, and soon got well. 

RUPTURE. 

This difficulty is caused by a hurt or strain, which makes 
a breach in the tough film, or membrane, that supports the 
bowels in their place, and the intestines come down into the 
cavit}^ between this membrane and the skin. Being sometimes 
very painful and difficult to be got back, and have to be kept 
from coming down b}' a truss. When the bowels come down 
and remain au}^ length of time, they become swelled, and are 
ver}' painful, causing great distress and danger; and some- 
times have proved fatal, as the}' cannot be got up again till 
the swelling is removed. This may be effected b}' a course 
of the medicine without danger. 

A Mr. Woodbury, of Durham, was troubled with a rup- 
ture; his bowels came down, swelled, and were ver}' painful. 
A doctor was sent for from Portsmouth, who applied a bag of 
snow, which drove the pain to the stomach and caused puk- 
ing. The swelling increased and became very hard. The 
case now becoming desperate, and the family being alarmed, 
I was sent for, and on hearing the circumstances, sent some 
medicine and gave directions to sweat him as soon as possi- 
ble. My directions were faithfully attended to, and as soon 
as he became warm, the nerves slackened, the swelling 
abated, all appearance of mortification disappeared, the bow- 
els went back, and in twelve hours he was restored from a 
dangerous situation to almost his usual state of health. In 
this case may be seen the difference between the artificial and' 
nature's physician, which is the same as between fire and 
vSnow. 



BOTANIC FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 109 

AGUE IN THE FACE. 

This is caused by cold in the glands of the mouth, which 
keeps back the saliva till it causes swelling and soreness; the 
canker becomes prevalent at the same time, which causes se- 
vere pain in the face and throat. The sooner a cure is at- 
tempted the better; to effect this, take a dose of the tea of 
No. 3, wdth a teaspoonful of No. 6 in it, for the canker; then 
tie a small quantity of No. 2 in a fine piece of cloth, w^et with 
No. 6, and put it between the teeth and cheek, on the side 
where the pain is; sit by the fire covered with a blanket, and 
breathe the w^arm air from the fire ; this will prick the glands 
and cause the saliva to flow^ very freely, w^hich will take out 
the soreness and relieve the pain. The face may be bathed 
at the same time with No. 6. If the case is of long stand- 
ing, so that the S3'stem is affected, and this does not remove 
the complaint, give a dose of No. i. If it is caused b}^ de- 
cayed teeth, fill the hollow with cotton w^ool, wet with oil of 
summer-savory, or spirits of turpentine, which will deaden 
the nerve and stop its aching. This is good in all cases of 
teethache, and wdll generall^^ effect a cure without extract- 
ing. 

TO RELAX THE MUSCLES IN SETTING A BONE. 

This may be done by bathing the part with warm water, 
and is much better than the method that is generall}- prac- 
ticed of extending the muscles \yy the strength of several 
persons, w^hich weakens the part so much that the bones are 
liable to get out of place again; besides, the operation causes 
severe pain to the patient and much trouble to the operator, 
w^hich is all obviated by my method. In cases where a joint 
is put out, or a bone broken, give a dose of No. 2, or the 
composition powder, with half a teaspoonful of nerve pow- 
der, w^hich will promote a perspiration, prevent fainting, and 
quiet the nerves; then wTap the part in cloths wet with w^ater 
as hot as it can be borne, and pour on the w^arm water, plac- 
ing a pan underneath to catch it, for a short time, when the 
muscles will become relaxed, so that the bones ma}^ be put 
in their place with little trouble. 

I was once called to a woman who had put her elbow out 



no ^-£11^ GUIDE TO HEALTH; 0A\ 

of joint b}' a fall from her horse. It was badly out, being 
twisted about one quarter of the way round. I ordered some 
water to be made hot immediately^ , stripped her arm, and as 
soon as the water was hot, put a towel in a large tin pan and 
poured the hot water on it till well wet; as soon as cool 
enough, wrapped it round her arm from her wrist to her 
shoulder; then placed the pan under her arm, and poured on 
the water from a pitcher, as hot as she could bear it, for 
about fifteen minutes. I then took off the towel and directed 
one person to take hold of the arm above the elbow and an- 
other below, to stead}^ it; and then placed my fingers against 
the end of the bone on the under side, and my thumb against 
that on the upper side, and by a gentle pressure each way, 
set the joint without pain or force on the muscles, to the 
astonishment of all present, who calculated that it would 
require the strength of several men. I then wrapped it up 
with the same towel, which had become cold. This brought 
the muscles to their proper tone, and kept the joint firm in 
its place. I put her arm in a sling and she walked home 
that night about a mile, and the next day was well enough 
to knit all day. 

In case a shoulder is out of joint, I relax the muscles in 
the same manner, and put the arm over my shoulder and lift 
up, which has always put the jonit in its place without any 
danger and with very little pain to the patient ; and then by 
appljdng cold water, the muscles will become braced, so that 
there will be no danger of its getting out again. I knew of 
a case where a man had his hip turned out, and several doc- 
tors had exhausted all their skill in vain to set it. One 
of ni}^ agents being present, undertook it by ni}- plan of treat- 
ment, and after he had relaxed the muscles sufficiently, put 
his knee against the hip joint, and, placing his hand on the 
inside of the knee, turned the leg out and crowded the joint 
into its place without any difficulty. 

POISON BY IVY OR DOGWOOD. 

Many people are troubled with this difficulty every season, 
and I have been much afflicted with it myself in my young- 
er days, often being poisoned in such manner as to swell and 



BOTAXIC FAMIL Y PHYSICIAN. Ill 

break out ver}- badly, and I knew no remedy but to let it have 
its course, which was almost as bad as the smallpox. One 
of my sons was often afflicted in this way, and one season 
was poisoned three times, so as to be blind for several da3^s. 
I long sought a remed}^ without success, till I found it in the 
Emetic Herb. Washing with a tincture of the green plant, 
as is directed in the second preparation of the Emetic Herb, on 
the first appearance of the disease, is a certain remed5^ If 
the complaint has been for any length of time, and has be- 
come bad, it will be necessar}^ to take a dose of the pow^dered 
emetic, first preparation, to clear the system of the poison, at 
the same time washing wdth the tincture. A tea made of 
the powdered leaves and pods will do to wash with when 
the tincture or green plant cannot be had. The powdered 
seeds, with Nos. 2 and 6, third preparation, ma}^ also be used 
for the same purpose. 

MEASLES. 

This disease is ver}^ common, especially among children, 
and is often attended with bad consequences, when not prop- 
erly treated. It is a high state of canker and putrefaction; 
and if the determining powers are kept to the surface, it will 
make its appearance on the outside, and go off of itself; but 
if cold overpow^ers the inward heat, so as to turn the deter- 
mining powers inward, the disease will not make its appear- 
ance, and the patient will become much distressed, frequent- 
ly producing fatal consequences if some pow^erful stimulant 
is not administered to bring the disorder out. To give phj^sic 
in cases of this kind is very dangerous, as it strengthens the 
power of cold, and keeps the canker and putrefaction inside, 
which sometimes seats upon the lungs and causes consump- 
tion; or it turns to the stomach and bowels, when they die sud- 
denly, as has been the case with hundreds for a few years 
past. I have attended a great mau}^ cases of the measles in 
the course of my practice, and never lost one, and never have 
known of any that have died of this disorder w^ho were at- 
tended bj' any of my agents. When the sj^mptoms make 
their appearance, give a dose of the composition pow^der, or 
of No. 2; then give the tea of No. 3 to guard against canker, 



112 jVEJV guide to HEALTH; OR, 

and add some No. 2 to overpower the cold; and when the 
second dose is given, add No. i, to clear the stomach and 
promote perspiration. As soon as this takes place, the dis- 
order will show itself on the outside. By continuing to keep 
the determining power to the surface, nature will take its 
regular course, and the disease will go off without injuring 
the constitution. If the bow^els appear to be disordered, 
give an injection; and be careful to keep the patient warm. 

I once had a case of a young w^oman who had the meas- 
les; she lingered with the symptoms four or five days, and 
then became very sick, turned of a dark purple color, and 
had a high fever when I was called to attend her. I gave 
her a strong dose of No. 3, steeped, and put in it a spoonful 
of the third preparation of No. i , w^hich caused such a vio- 
lent struggle that I had to hold her in the bed; but it was soon 
over, for in about ten minutes she vomited, and a perspira- 
tion took place, which was followed b}- the measles coming 
out, so that she w^as completely covered with the eruption. 
She was soon well and about her work. 

SMALLPOX. 

This disease is the highest state of canker and putrefac- 
tion which the human body is capable of receiving, and is 
the most contagious, being taken in with the breath, or it may 
be communicated by inoculation, in w^hich case it is not so 
violent and dangerous as when taken in the natural way. 
The distressing and often fatal consequences that have hap- 
pened in cases of the smallpox are more owing to the man- 
ner in which it has been treated than to the disease. The 
fashionable mode of treatment in this disease has been to 
give phj^sic and reduce the strength, by starving the pa- 
tient and keeping them cold. This is contrary to common 
sense, as it weakens the friend and strengthens the enemy; 
and the same cause would produce similar effects in any oth- 
er disorder. All that is necessary is to assist nature to 
drive out the canker and putrefaction, which is the cause of 
the disease, by keeping the determining powders to the sur- 
face, in which case there will be no danger. The same man- 
ner of treatment should be used in this complaint as has been 



BOTANIC FAMIL Y PHYSICIAN. 113 

directed for the measles. The canker-rash, and all kinds of 
disease that a person is not liable to have but once, such as 
chickenpox, swinepox, etc., are from the same cause, and 
must be treated in a similar manner. 

COUGH. 

The general opinion is, that cough is an enemy to health, 
and ought to be treated as such ; but this idea I hold to be 
altogether an error; for it is the effect, and not the cause, of 
disease. When the lungs are diseased, there will be a col- 
lection of matter, which must be thrown off; and the cough 
is like the pump of a ship, which discharges the water, and 
prevents her from sinking; so also the cough throws off what 
collects on the lungs, which, if suffered to remain, would 
soon putrefy and cause death. It is a common saying, " I 
have a bad cough, and can get nothing to stop it;" and the 
doctor often says, "If I could stop your cough, I should have 
hopes of a cure ; ' ' but this is as unreasonable as it would be to 
stop the pumps of a ship, which would cause her to sink the 
sooner. Ask a sailor what he would do, and he would say,. 
"Keep the pump going till you can stop the leak, and when 
that is stopped, the pump w411 become useless, as there will 
be nothing to throw off. ' ' Such medicine should be given as 
will promote the cough, till the cause can be removed, which 
is cold and canker on the lungs; after this is done, there will 
be no more cough. If a cough is caused by a sudden cold, 
it may be removed b}^ taking the composition powder on go- 
ing to bed, with a hot stone wrapped in wet cloths put to the 
feet, to produce a perspiration, at the same taking the 
cough powder, which will make the patient raise easy, and 
also help to remove the cause. When the cough has be- 
coine seated and the lungs are diseased, they must be car- 
ried through a regular course of the medicine, repeating the 
same as occasion ma^^ require till a cure is effected, at the 
same time giving the cough powder, especially on going to 
bed. 

Whooping-cough must be treated in the same manner; 
continue to give the cough powders till cured. 



114 XEJV GUIDE TO HEALTH; OR, 

JAUNDICE. 

Much has been said about the bile, or gall, being an ene- 
my in case of sickness; but this is a mistake, for it is a friend, 
and should be treated as such. It is the mainspring ot life, 
and the regulator of health, as without it the food could not 
be digested. When people have what is called the jaundice, 
it is the prevailing opinion that they have too much bile, 
and it is said they are bilious. This is a mistaken notion, for 
there is no such thing as having too much gall; it would be 
more correct to say there was not enough. The difficulty is 
caused by the stomach being cold and foul, so that the food 
is not properl3' digested ; and the bile, not being appropriated 
to its natural use, is diffused through the pores of the skin, 
which becomes of a 3'ellow^ color. The sj^mptoms are want 
of appetite, costiveness, faintness, and the patient will be dull 
and sleep}' ; these are evidences of bad digesture and loss of 
inward heat. The only way to effect a cure is to promote 
perspiration, cleanse the stomach, and restore the digestive 
powers, which will cause the bile to be used for the purpose 
nature designed it. 

Nature has contrived that each part of the body should 
perform its proper dut}' in maintaining health, and if there 
were no obstruction, there never would be disease. The gall 
bladder grows on the liver, and is placed between that and 
the stomach, so that when the latter is filled with food, the 
bile is discharged into the stomach to digest it. The bile 
never makes disorder, for it is perfectl}' innocent, being na- 
ture's friend; and those appearances called bilious show the 
effect of disease, and not the cause. The gall is a very bit- 
ter substance, and it is the practice of the doctors to order 
bitter medicine to cure the jaundice, and this seems to be the 
universal opinion, which is correct; but it certainly contra- 
dicts the notion that there is too much bile, for if there be too 
much, why give medicine to make more? I have attended 
many cases of this kind, and never had any difficulty in ef- 
fecting a cure. M}^ method is to give No. 2, or the compo- 
sition powders, to raise the internal heat, and No. i to cleanse 
the stomach and promote perspiration; then give the bitters. 



BOTANIC FAMILY PHYSICIAN. lib 

No. 4, to regulate the bile and restore the digestive powers. 
If the complaint has been of long standing, and the system 
is much disordered, they must be carried through a regular 
course of the medicine, and repeat it as occasion ma}" require; 
at the same time give the bitters two or three times a day, 
till the appetite is good and the digesture restored. Any of 
the articles described under the head of No. 4 are good, and 
ma}" be freely used for all bilious complaints. 

WORMS. 

A great deal is said about worms causing sickness, and 
there is scarcely a disease that children are afflicted with but 
what is attributed to worms. The doctors talk about worm 
complaints, worm fevers, worm colics, etc., and give medi- 
cine to destroy the worms; by so doing, they frequently de- 
stroy their patients. There was never a greater absurdity 
than their practice, and the universal opinion about worms 
causing disease. The fact is, they are created and exist in 
the stomach and bowels for a useful purpose, and are friendly 
to health, instead of being an enemy; they are bred and sup- 
ported by the cold phlegm that collects in the stomach and 
bowels; this is their element; and the more there is of it, the 
more- there will be of the worms; they never cause disease, 
but are caused by it. Those who are in health are never 
troubled with worms, because they are then quiet, and exist 
in their natural element. Every one has more or less of them, 
and the reason why children are more troubled with what is 
called worm complaints, is because they are more subject to 
be disordered in their stomach and bowels than grown per- 
sons. When children are sick, and their breath smells bad, 
it is said they have worms, and everything is laid to them; 
but this is owing to disease caused by canker, for there is 
nothing in the nature of worms that can affect the breath. In 
cases of this kind, the only thing necessary is to cleanse the 
stomach by getting rid of the cold phlegm and restoring the 
digestive powers, when there will be no difficulty with the 
worms. 

The common practice of the doctors is to give calomel 
and other poisons to kill the w^orms. This must appear to any 



116 NEJV GUIDE TO HEALTH; OR, 

one who examines into the subject to be ver>^ wrong as well 
as dangerous; for the worms cannot be killed by it without 
poisoning the whole contents of the stomach. I once knew^ 
of a case of a child who, after eating a breakfast of bread and 
milk, was taken sick; a doctor was sent for, who said it was- 
caused by worms, and gave a dose of calomel to destroy 
them, which caused fits. The child vomited and threw up 
its breakfast, and a dog that happened to be in the room 
ate what the child threw up; he was soon taken sick 
and died; the child got well. The fortunate accident of the 
child's throwing off its stomach what it had taken probable- 
saved its life, for if there was poison enough to kill a dog, it 
must have killed the child. The absurdity of such practice 
is like the stor}- related by Dr. Franklin of a man who was 
troubled with a weasel in his barn, and to get rid of the 
weasel he set fire to his barn and burnt it up. I had the 
following relation from the doctor who attended the cases: 
Three children had what he called a worm fever, and he un- 
dertook to kill the worms. One of them died, and he re- 
quested liberty to open it and see what would destroy worms, 
in order to know how to cure the others; but the parents 
would not consent. The second died, and the parents con- 
sented to have it opened; but after searching the stomach and 
bowels, to their surprise no worms could be found. The 
third soon after died. The fact was, their death was caused 
by canker on the stomach and bowels, and the medicine- 
given increased the difficulty by drawing the determining 
powers inward, which aided the cold to promote the canker. 
Where children die by such treatment, the blame is all laid 
on the worms, and the doctor escapes censure. 

I have had a great deal of experience in what are called 
worm complaints; and after having become acquainted with 
the real cause have had no difficulty in curing all that I have 
undertaken. I began with my own children. One of them 
was troubled with what was supposed to be worms. I em- 
ployed a doctor, who gave pink root, and then physic to car- 
ry it off with the worms. It would shortly after have an- 
other turn, which would be worse. He went on in this way, 
and the worms kept increasing, till I became satisfied that he- 



BO TANIC FA MIL Y PHYSICIAN. 1 1 7 

was working on the effect, and neglected the cause, when I 
dismissed him and undertook the cure mj^self. I first 
gave the warmest medicine I then knew of to clear off the 
cold phlegm, and gave bitter medicine, such as poplar bark, 
wormwood, tansy, and ph3^sic made of the twigs of butter- 
nut, to cleanse the stomach and to correct the bile. B}^ pur- 
suing this plan the child soon got well and w^as no more 
troubled with worms. A child in the neighborhood where I 
lived, about six years old, was taken sick in the. morning, 
and the doctor was sent for, w^ho gave medicine for w^orms. 
Soon after, it had fits, and continued in convulsions during 
the da}^ and at night died. I was satisfied that its death 
was hastened, if not caused, b}' what was given. When the 
stomach is diseased, or when poison is taken into it, the 
worms tr}' to flee from their danger, which causes distress, 
and the}^ sometimes get into knots and stop the passages to 
the stomach. Much more might be said on this subject; but 
enough has been stated to put those who attend to it on their 
guard against the dangerous practice of giving medicine to 
kill worms. 

My practice has been what I shall recommend to others 
to do in case of what is called worm complaints: to give the 
composition powders, or No. 2, to warm the stomach; a 
tea of No. 3, to remove the canker; and the bitters or either 
of the articles described under No. 4, to correct the bile. 
If they are bad, carr}^ them through a course of the medicine, 
and give the bitters. When there are nervous S3^mptoms 
give the nerve powder. Injections should also be frequentl}^ 
given. The butternut syrup is very good. If there is dan- 
ger of mortification, make use of No. 6, both in the medicine 
given and in the injections. 

The tape-worm is from the same cause as other worms, 
and ma}' be cured in the same manner. They are, when 
single, about half an inch long, and one third as wide; the}' 
join together and appear like tape, and often come awa}- in 
long pieces of several yards. I was once troubled with 
them, and used to be faint, and have no appetite. I cured 
myself b}' taking the butternut phj^sic, which brought awa}' 



118 NBIV GUIDE TO HEALTH; OR, 

several 3^ards at a time; and b}^ taking the bitter medicine, 
to correct the bile, was never troubled with it again. 

I have often heard about people having a greedy worm; 
but this is a mistaken notion, for there was never any such 
thing. The difficult}^ is that the stomach is cold and disor- 
dered, so that the food is not properly digested, and passes off 
without nourishing the S3'stem, and this creates an unnatural 
appetite. Remove the cause by warming the stomach and 
correcting the digestive powers, and there will be no further 
difficult}'. In the year 1805, I was called to see a j^oung 
woman who, it was supposed, had a greedy -worm. It was 
thought to be very large, and would frequently get into her 
throat and choke her, almost stopping her breath. Her 
mother told me that the da}^ before, one of the neighbors 
was in, and told a story about a person having a monster in 
her stomach, which was taken in by drinking at a brook. 
This terrible account so frightened her daughter, that the 
worm rose into her throat, and choked her so bad that she 
had fits. I took the girl home with me, and gave her a 
dose of hot bitters, with some of the nerve powder that night. 
The next morning I carried her through a course of the med- 
icine, as well as I knew at that time, which cleared the 
stomach and bowels, and strengthened the nerv^ous system. 
I told her there was no worm that troubled her, and she had 
faith in what I said. I gave her medicine to correct the bile 
and restore the digesture, and she soon got well, being no 
more troubled about the worm. Thedifficult}- was caused by 
a disordered stomach, and want of digesture, which produced 
spasms in the stomach and throat. 

CONSUMPTION. 

This complaint is generally caused by some acute disor- 
der not being removed, and the patient being run down by 
the fashionable practice, until nature makes a compromise 
with disease, and the house becomes divided against itself. 
There is a constant warfare kept up between the inward heat 
and cold; the flesh wastes away in consequence of not digest- 
ing the food; the canker becomes seated on the stomach and 
bowels, and then takes hold of the lungs. When they get 



BOTANIC FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 119 

into this situation, it is called a seated consumption, and is 
pronounced by the doctors to be incurable. I have had a 
great man}- cases of this kind, and have in all of them, wher^ 
was life enough left to build upon, been able to effect a 
cure b}- m.\ system of practice. The most important thing- 
is to raise the inward heat and get a perspiration, clear the 
system of canker, and restore the digestive powers, so that 
food will nourish the bod}^ and keep up the heat on which 
life depends. This must be done b}- the regular course of 
medicine, as has been directed in all violent attacks of dis- 
ease, and persevering in it till the cause is removed. 

This complaint is called b}' the doctors a hectic fever, 
because they are subject to cold chills, and hot flashes on 
the surface; but this is an error, for there is no fever about 
it; and this is the greatest difficult^', for if there were a fever, 
it would have a crisis, and nature would be able to drive out 
the cold and effect a cure. The onh' difficult}- is to raise a 
fever, which must be done by such medicine as will raise 
and hold the inward heat till nature has the complete com- 
mand. When patients are very weak and low, they will 
have what is called cold sweats. The cause of this is not 
understood; the water that collects on the skin does not 
come through the pores, but is attracted from the air in the 
room, which is warmer than the body, and condenses on 
the surface; the same ma}' be seen on the outside of a mug 
or tumbler on a hot day, when filled with cold water, which 
is from the same cause. It is of more importance to attend 
to the preventing of this complaint, than to cure it. If peo- 
ple would make use of those means which I have recom- 
mended, and cure themselves of disease in its first stages, 
and avoid all poisonous drugs, there would never be a case 
of consumption, or any other chronic disorder. 

FITS. 

These are produced by the same cause as other com- 
plaints, that is, cold and obstructions; and ma}- be cured b}- 
a regular course of the medicine, which overpowers the cold, 
promotes perspiration, and restores the digestive powers. 
Poison, or anything else which gives the cold power over 



120 NEIV GUIDE TO HEALTH; OR, 

the inward heat, will cause fits, because the natural tone of 
the muscular power is thereb}- destroj-ed, which produces 
violent spasms of the whole system. So much has alread}^ 
been said on this subject, that it is unnecessar}' to sa}' more 
to give a correct idea of the manner of cure. 

ST. ANTHONY'S FIRE, NETTLE SPRING, OR SURFEIT. 

These are all caused b}' overheating the S3'stem and cool- 
ing too suddenl}', which leaves the pores obstructed, and 
then, b}^ taking more cold, will bring on the warfare between 
cold and heat, w^hen the}' break out and itch and smart, as 
if stung b}' an insect. When the heat gets a little the upper 
hand, so as to produce perspiration, it will disappear till 
the}' get another cold. The only way to effect a cure is to 
give the hot medicine and steam till they are brought to the 
same state of heat as that which first caused the disease, and 
then cool by degrees. This I have proved in several in- 
stances, and never had any difficulty in entirely removing 
the cause in this way. Make use of a tea of No. 3, for 
canker, and the bitters to correct the bile, and a little ner\'e 
powder to quiet the nerves, and they will soon be restored 
to perfect health. 

STRANGURY, OR GRAVEL. 

This disorder is often caused by hard labor, and expos- 
ure to cold, in the early part of life; and when they grow 
old their heat diminishes, the bile becomes thick, and a sedi- 
ment collects in the bladder, which obstructs the passages. 
The glands through which the urine passes are clogged and 
become diseased, so that there is a difficulty in voiding the 
water, which causes great pain. It is seldom that there is a 
cure in such cases; but relief may be obtained by a course 
of the medicine, and making free use of the poplar- bark 
tea. A tea of the hemlock boughs is \&ry good; and also I 
have known great relief from using the wild lettuce and 
pipsisway, the tops and roots bruised and steeped in hot 
water. Many other articles that are good to promote the 
urine may be used to advantage. 



BOTANIC FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 121 

DROPSY. 

There are two kinds of this complaint. One is caused b}^ 
losing the inward heat, so as to stop the natural perspiration, 
which causes the w^ater that is usually- throw^n off in this 
w^a}^ to collect in the bodj^ and limbs. This may be cured 
by raising the internal heat and causing a profuse perspira- 
tion, ^vhen the water will pass off in a natural way; then 
make use of such medicine as wdll remove canker and restore 
the digestive powders, w^hen the food, being digested, wall keep 
tip the natural heat of the body and continue the perspira- 
tion. The other kind is caused by cold and obstruction; 
but instead of the water collecting and remaining in the bod}- 
and limbs, a leak forms in the glands and lets it into the 
trunk of the body, where there is no vent to let it off. This 
cannot be cured without tapping, and is ver}- seldom com- 
pleteh^ cured. I have never knowm but tw^o who were in 
this situation to be perfecth* restored. One was a girl w^hom 
I attended. I tapped her and took aw^a}- seventeen pounds 
of w^ater; then sw^athed her up close, and gave medicine to 
keep up a perspiration. She did not fill again, and w^as com- 
pletel}^ cured. The other w^as a man who had been tapped 
twdce. I carried him through the course of medicine several 
times, and gave the juniper ashes, with molasses and gin, 
w^hich carried off large quantities of water, and he entirelj^ 
recovered from the disorder. I have cured a number who 
had the first-mentioned complaint, by the common course of 
medicine; one w^oman was cured b\^ taking the wdld lettuce, 
bruised and steeped in hot water. Mention has been made 
of several cases of this disease in m}^ narrative, which were 
cured; and enough has been said to give an idea of the cause 
and manner of treatment. 

BILIOUS COLIC. 

The name of this complaint is erroneous, for bilious means 
the bile, and no one ever heard of a bile colic, or pain caused 
by gall, as it is a friend to health, and never caused disease 
or death. This pain is caused by a disordered stomach and 
wantofdigesture; the stomach is filled wdth canker, which 
gets into the narrow^ passage from the stomach, when the ac- 



122 NEIV GUIDE TO HEALTH; OR, 

tion of the bowels ceases; after the pam subsides those parts 
where it was are very sore. To cure it, raise the inward 
heat by giving the hot medicine, remove the canker with No. 
3, and give the bitters to correct the bile, and repeat it till 
a cure is effected. If the case is bad, carry them through a 
course of the medicine, and often give injections. 

PLEURISY. 

This is a distressing complaint, and is caused bj^ cold, or 
want of inward heat. I never had any difficulty in curing it 
by my common practice. The only remed}^ made use of by 
the doctors is to bleed, which only increases the disease by re- 
ducing the strength of the patient, without removing the 
cause. I was once called to a soldier at Kastport, who had a 
violent pain in his side. The doctor that attended him had 
bled him five times without removing the pain, which made 
him so weak that it was with difficulty he could be held up 
in the bed. I relieved him in one hour by a common course 
of medicine, and bathing his side with the rheumatic drops. 
It took three weeks to get up his strength, which might 
have been done in three days, if he had not been bled. I was 
called to another case of the kind, of a soldier at the same 
place. He had been bled, and a large blister put on his side 
to remove the pain, which caused a strangury, and he was 
in great distress. I declined doing anything for him with- 
out the consent of the commanding officer, who was not 
present. The soldier begged of me to tell him what to do 
for the latter complaint, as he could not live so. I told him 
to take off the blister, which was immediately done, and it 
gave instant relief. By carr3dng them through a course of 
medicine, as has been directed for other violent attacks, it 
will cure all cases of this complaint without danger; and it is 
much better than bleeding or blisters, which only increase 

the difficulty. 

RELAX. 

This complaint is caused by indigestion, or loss of the 
powers of the gall, which becomes thick, in consequence of 
cold, or loss of inward heat, when the stomach will be sour. 
The best remed^^ is to give No. 2, which will thin the gall; 



BOTANIC FA MIL Y PHYSICIAN. 123 

cleanse the stomach with No. i, and give the bitters to cor- 
rect the digesture. A dose of the composition powders, with 
a teaspoonful of No. 6 in it, will in most cases effect a cure. 
The bayberry and poplar bark are good, and also man}^ other 
articles that have been described are good to restore the di- 
gestive powers. 

DYSENTERY. 

This is a distressing complaint, and is very common, es- 
pecially among children. Although much has already been 
said on this subject, yet its importance will justify some 
further directions. It is caused by cold, which gets the as- 
cendency over the inward heat, so as to draw all the deter- 
mining powers inward; the stomach is disordered, the digestive 
powers are lost, the bowels become coated with canker, the 
food is not digested so as to afford any nourishment or heat 
to the system, and all the juices flow inward, and pass off b}^ 
the common passage. The canker makes the bowels very 
sore, and when anything ^passes them, it causes excruciating 
pain . The best plan of treatment is to carry the patient 
through a regular course of medicine, and repeat it, if occasion 
should require, every day till relief is obtained. During the 
operation, give the chicken broth, and after the disease is 
checked, give occasionally a little brandy and loaf sugar 
burned together, and a strong tea of poplar bark. Give the 
syrup. No. 5, two or three times a day, until entirel}^ recov- 
ered; and the bitters. No. 4, may be given night and morn- 
ing, to restore the digesture. Care must be taken to keep 
up the inward heat in the interim, b}^ giving occasionally 
No. 2 in a tea of No. 3, sweetened. Steaming is very im- 
portant in this complaint, and injections must often be ad- 
ministered. 

RHEUMATISM. 

This complaint is caused by cold obstructing the natural 
circulation, which causes pain and swelling. It often affects 
the joints, so that they grow out of shape. A cure is easily 
effected, if timely and properl}^ attended to, which must be 
done by such medicine as will cause perspiration and re- 
move obstructions. In common cases, takins: the rheu- 



124 A^EJJ' GUIDE TO HEALTH; OR, 

matic drops, and bathing the part affected with the same, 
will remove the complaint. When the case is bad, carry 
them through a course of the medicine, and bathe with the 
drops, repeating it as occasion ma}- require till cured. At 
the same time, give a tea of poplar bark or hemlock boughs; 
and man}' other articles which have been described as good 
for this complaint ma}^ also be made use of to advantage. 

The gout is from the same cause, and the stomach being 
greatly disordered and very sour, which produces a burning 
sensation. I have cured several cases b}' the common course 
of medicine, and giving the bitters to restore the digestive 
powers. 

SORE LIPS. 

They are common in ver}^ hot or cold weather, when there 
is nearl}' a balance of the power of outward and inward heat, 
or outward and inw^ard cold, which produces canker. To 
cure it, take a strong dose of a tea of No. 3, with a teaspoon- 
ful of No. 2 in it, when going to*bed, and. wash them with 
the same; then wape them dry to take off the matter collected; 
then wet them again with the tea, and put on as much ginger 
as will stick; repeat the same again for two or three times, 
till the coat is sufficient to keep out the air. When this comes 
off, repeat the same process again, until the soreness is gone; 
then wash again with the tea, and wipe them dry, and ap- 
ply warm tallow till a cure is completed. 

SORE EYES. 

This is generally caused by being exposed to sudden 
changes of heat and cold, which produces canker; and where 
this is, there will be inflammation. There are many things 
good for this complaint; but the best that I have found is 
white pond lily root, marsh rosemary , witch hazel and red 
raspberry leaves. Make a strong tea with all or either, and 
add one-third as much of No. 6, with a little of No. 2; bathe 
the eyes several times in a day; every morning put your face 
in cold water, open and shut the eyes till well washed; repeat 
this till a cure is effected. At the same time take the tea to 
clear the system of canker. 



BOTANIC FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 425 

HEADACHE. 

This pain proceeds from a foul stomach; the bile loses its 
powers, the food clogs b}^ not being digested, and the effect 
is felt in the head, which is the fountain of sense. Some- 
times there is sickness at the stomach; when this happens, it 
is called sick headache, and when they vomit the head is 
relieved. This proves that the cause is in the stomach. It 
must be cured b\^ cleansing the stomach and restoring the 
digestive powers. A dose of composition powders, sitting 
b}^ the fire wrapped in a blanket, will generally give relief; 
but if it should not, take a dose of No. i, in a tea of No. 3, 
and take the bitters to correct the bile; No. 2 should also be 
taken to warm the stomach, and if it is sour, take the pearl- 
ash water. It is very fashionable with the doctors to tell 
about dropsy in the head, but in this I have no belief; for 
there is no disease in the head but what proceeds from the 
stomach, except from external injury. If they understood 
the real cause, and would give the proper medicine to remove 
it, there would be no difficulty in the head; but when a child 
is sick, they give calomel and other poisons, which increases 
the disease; and if they die, it is laid to the drops}^ in the 
head, and this is satisfactory, because the doctor saj^s so. 

CORNS. 

These come on the joints of the toes, and are very troub- 
lesome. They ma}^ be cured by soaking the foot in warm 
water till the corn is soft, when shave it thin; take a strip of 
bladder or skin of suet, eight or ten inches long, and half an 
inch wide, and rub it till soft; then supple it well in rattle- 
snake's oil, or the nerve ointment; wrap it round the toe, 
and keep it on till worn out. If this does not cure, repeat 
the same till the corn is removed. I have seldom known this 

to fail of a cure. 

VENEREAL 

The disease that is called b}- this name is more com- 
mon in seaports than in the countr}^, because there is a more 
promiscuous and illicit intercourse of the sexes than in other 
places. It is a very high state of canker and putrefaction, 
which takes hold of the glands of those parts that are first 



12& NJSIV GUIDE TO HEALTH; OR, 

affected with it; and if not checked, the whole system will 
become diseased by the venereal taint. It is more common 
among seafaring men, because of their being long absent at 
sea, and on coming on shore they give free scope to their 
passions, without being very scrupulous about the manner of 
their indulgence. It originates, probabl3% with those com- 
mon women, who have connection with many different men, 
and going beyond the impulse of nature; this impure con- 
nection causes uncleanness, which produces the disease, and 
when seated, is contagious. 

The reason why this disease causes so much fright and 
alarm is owing to two causes; the first is the disgrace that is 
attached to the dishonesty in getting it; and the other is the 
manner in which it has generally been treated; in giving 
mercury to cure it, the remedy becomes worse than the dis- 
ease. That this disorder cannot be cured by any other 
means is altogether an error; for I have cured a number of 
cases by very simple means. The first symptoms felt are a 
scalding sensation and pain when voiding the urine; and 
within twenty-four hours after this is experienced it may be 
cured in that time, by appl3nng cold water and making use 
of the rheumatic drops; if there is much soreness, make use 
of the tea of No. 3, with the drops in it, which must be taken 
as well as applied to the parts. If the disease has been of 
long standing, and the whole system has become affected, 
the}^ must be carried through a course of the medicine. 
Where there has been mercury made use of, and there is all 
the attendant consequences of such treatment, it is much 
more difficult to effect a cure, and is only done by a full 
course of the medicine, and repeating it for a number of 
times; raising the heat by steam each time as high as the}' 
can bear, to throw out the mercury and remove the canker, 
at the same time applying the poultice ; then give the bitters 
to correct the bile. 

I had a case of a woman, who was brought to me on a bed, 
fifteen miles. She was in a very putrid state, and as bad as 
she could well be, with all the consequences that are caused 
by being filled with mercury. Different doctors had attended 
her for eleven months, and she had constantly been growing 



BOTANIC FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 127 

worse. She had been kept ignorant of her disease till a few 
days before brought to me, on account of her husband. I 
carried her through five courses of the medicine in tw^o weeks, 
and applied a poultice of white bread and ginger, made with 
a tea of No. 3. This completel}- broke up the disorder, and 
by giving medicine to correct the bile and restore the di- 
gest ure, she was cured, and returned home in three weeks 
after coming to me. By taking things to restore her strength, 
she has enjoyed good health ever since. Another woman was 
cured in the same manner, who had been in this wa}^ for six 
years, and unable to do any business. I attended her three 
weeks, when she was restored to health, and returned home. 
In less than a 3' ear after, she had two children at a birth, 
and has enjo3'ed good health to this day. 

This disease may be produced by other means than what 
have been described. It ma}' be taken in with the breath b}^ 
being much exposed in attending on those who are in a very 
putrid stage of the complaint ; or maj^ be communicated to 
parts w^here the skin is broken, and in many other, ways, 
when the3^ will have man}' of the symptoms the same as 
when taken in the common wa3\ Children will sometimes 
be affected with the venereal taint whose parents had the 
disease. A disease similar in appearance, with much the 
same symptoms, may be brought on by overdoing and being 
exposed to the cold. I once had the case of a 3'oung mar- 
ried man, who, by straining himself from loading mill logs 
and being exposed to wet and cold, caused a weakness in the 
back and loins, and he had what is called a gleet, and an in- 
flammation, with all the S3'mptoms common in the venereal. 
His wife became affected in the same manner, and they con- 
tinued in this situation three months, when I was called to 
attend them ; and by making use of such things as I then had 
a knowledge of to strengthen the loins and remove the 
canker, I w^as able to cure both in a short time. The man had 
all the symptoms that appear in the venereal except hard 
bunches in the groins, called buboes These I am satisfied 
are caused b3' mercury, for I never knew an3^ to have them 
except the3^ had taken mercury. By syringing with mercury 
and sugar of lead, it dries the glands and contracts the pass- 



128 NEIV GUIDE TO HEALTH; OR, 

age, and stops the discharge, when the putrid matter, instead 
of going off, collects in the groin and forms hard tumors » 
which remain a long time and have to be brought to a head 
to let off the putrid matter. Bunches of a similar kind often 
come on different parts of the bod}^ caused by mercury. 

Much more might be written on this subject, but it is 
difiicult to find proper terms to convey all the directions that 
may be necessar}- in all cases. Enough has been said to 
give to those w^ho are so unfortunate as to have the disease a 
general knowledge of the nature of the complaint and the 
best manner of effecting a cure; and to those who are fortu- 
nate enough to escape it, any thing further will be unnecessa- 
ry. If the disease be of recent standing, let it be considered 
merely a case of local canker, and treated as such; but if the 
whole system has become tainted, and especially if mercur}- 
has been given, the disease is more difficult to remove, and 
must be treated accordingly. 

MIDWIFERY. 

This is a very difficult subject to write upon, as I know 
of no words that w^ould be proper to make use of to conve}^ 
the necessar}^ information to enable a person to attempt the 
practice with safety. The great importance of the subject, 
however, induces me not to be silent; and I shall endeavor to 
make known to the public such thoughts and conclusions as 
long experience and much solicitude have enabled me to form 
concerning those who are suffering and are constantly liable 
to suffer from the erroneous and most unnatural practice of 
the present day. The practice of midwifer^^ at this time 
appears to be altogether a matter of speculation with the 
medical faculty, by their exorbitant price for attendance. 
The tax on the poor classes is very heavy ; and this is not the 
greatest grievance that they have to bear, for they are often 
deprived of their wives and children by such ignorant and 
unnatural practice as is very common in all parts of the 
country. 

Thirty years ago the practice of midwifery was principall}^ 
in the hands of experienced women, who had no difficulty; 
and there was scarce an instance known in those da3's of a 



BOTANIC FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 129 

woman d.34ng in child-bed, and it was vety uncommon for 
them to lose the child; but at the present time these things 
are so common that it is hardly talked about. There must 
be some cause for this difference, and I can account for it in 
no other way than the unskillful treatment they experience 
from the doctors, who have now got most of the practice into 
their own hands. In the countr>^ w^here I was born, and 
where I brought up a famil}^ of children, there was no such 
thing thought of as calling the assistance of a doctor; a mid- 
wife was all that was thought necessary, and the instances 
were very rare that they were not successful, for the}' used 
no art, but afforded such assistance as nature required; gave 
herb tea to keep them in a perspiration and to quiet the nerves. 
Their price was one dollar. When the doctors began to prac- 
tice midwifer}^ in the country, their price was three dollars, 
but they soon after raised it to five, and now the}^ charge 
from twelve to twenty dollars. If the}' go on in this ratio, 
it will soon take all the people can earn to pa}- for their 
children. 

All the valuable instruction I ever received was from a 
woman in the town where I lived, who had practiced as a 
midwife for twenty j-ears. In an interview of about twenty- 
minutes, she gave me more useful instruction than all I ever 
gained from anj^ other source. I have practiced considera- 
bly in this line, and have alwa5\s had ver}- good success. It 
is very important to keep up the strength of women in a state 
of pregnancy, so that at the time of delivery they may be in 
possession of all their natural powers. The}- should be carried 
through a course of the medicine several times, particularh' 
a little before delivery, and keep them in a perspiration dur- 
ing and after delivery, which will prevent after pains, and 
other complaints common in such cases. Beware of bleed- 
ing, opium, and cold baths; invigorate all the faculties of the 
body and mind, to exert the most laborious efforts that na- 
ture is called upon to perform, instead of stupifjdng, and 
substituting art for nature. I will relate a case that I was 
knowing to, which will give a pretty fair view of the prac- 
tice of the doctors. A woman was taken in travail, and the 
midwife could not come; a doctor was sent for; when became 



130 NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH; OR, 

the prospect was that she would not be delivered in two 
hours. He gave her some medicine which caused vomiting, 
and turned the pains to the stomach; she continued in this 
situation for twelve hours, when her strength was nearlj^ 
gone. He then bled her, and to stop the puking gave so 
much opium as to cause such stupor that it required all the 
exertions of the women to keep the breath of life in her 
through the night; in the morning she remained very weak, 
and continued so till afternoon, when she was delivered with 
instruments. The child was dead, and the woman came 
very near dying, and it was six months before she got her 
strength again. Many more cases might be given of the bad 
success of bleeding and giving opium to stupify, and making 
use of art, instead of assisting nature to do her own work. 

I have given instruction to several who have bought the 
right, and their practice has been attended with complete 
success. Many men that I have given the information to 
have since attended their own wives, and I have never known 
an instance of any bad consequences; and if j^oung married 
men would adopt the same course, it would be much more 
proper and safe than to trust their wives in the hands of 
young inexperienced doctors, who have little knowledge, 
except what they get from books, and their practice is to try 
experiments. Their cruel and harsh treatment, in many in- 
stances, would induce the husband to throw them out at the 
window, if permitted to be present; but this is not allowed, 
for the very same reason. 

The following cases, and the mode of treatment, each of 
which presents something new and difficult, will present to 
view all that will be further necessary on this subject. These 
will be added by way of supplement. 



BOTANIC FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 131 



SUPPLEMENT 

TO THE THIRD EDITION. 



INTRODUCTION. 

" The Hebrew women are liveW, and are delivered ere the mid- 
wives come in unto them." Exodus i. 19. 

As an introduction to what I have further to say on the 
subject of midwifery, the above may answer as a text; from 
which I have only to obser\^e that, had this important 
branch been preserved irl its simpHcity, attended only by 
women, as it seems to have been in the days of the ancient 
Egyptians, when the Hebrews were slaves under Pharaoh, 
who ordered the midwives to kill all the Hebrew male chil- 
dren at their birth, women might still have been delivered 
with as little trouble to the midwives, and as little pain to 
themselves, as, from the account, it appears that the}- were 
then.. For, as a cover to their humanity, and to escape pun- 
ishment from the king, the midwives excused themselves for 
not killing the male children on account of the liveliness of 
the Hebrew^ women. If those women had had the doctors of 
the present day, with their pincers, Pharaoh would have had 
less cause to have issued his decree to kill the male children, 
as many might have been killed with impunity before it was 
known whether they were male or female. Has the nature 
of w^omen altered, which makes the mode of having children 
so much more difficult and mysterious now than it was then, 
or is it the speculation of the doctors, for the sake of robbing 
the people of twenty dollm^s, the regular tribute here for each 
child born ? And should the child be born, fortunately for 
the mother and child both, before the arrival of the doctor, 



132 NBJV GUIDE TO HEALTH; OR, 

he even then, instead of the price of a common visit, consid^ 
ers himself entitled to a half fee, that is, ten dollars. In all 
this, you may see the mystery of iniquity. Then dismiss 
the doctor; restore the business into the hands of women, 
where it belongs; and save j^our wife from much unnecessary 
pain, 3^our children, perhaps, from death, and, at all events, 
your money for better purposes. Then will 3^our children 
be born naturally, as fruit falls from the tree, when ripe, of 
itself. 

From this source, the doctors and their pincers, may be 
traced the miserable health of women, unable to stand on 
their feet for weeks and months, and never finally recover, 
all caused by those horrid instruments of steel, to extend the 
passage not only for the child, but for the instruments also. 
In this harsh and unnatural operation, the}^ often not only 
crush the head of the child, but also the neck of the bladder. 
After this, there is an involuntary discharge of the urine, 
bearing-down pains, etc. , insomuch that life becomes an in- 
tolerable burden, without remedy. Can any one believe 
there was ever an instance of this kind among the Hebrew 
women, where midwives only were known, or where nature 
only was the midwife? I think not. Is there any such 
thing known among the natives of this country, where na- 
ture is their only dependence? History gives us an account 
of their squaws having a pappoose at night, and wading 
several rivers the next day, when driven b}^ Christians in 
warfare; and by the simple use of taking the unicorn root, they 
prevented themselves from taking cold. If all these views of 
the subject — what has been stated in the body of this work, 
and what is here to follow— be not satisfactory , neither would 
people be persuaded though one should arise from the dead. 

FURTHER REMARKS ON MIDWIFERY. 

As I am often called upon for verbal information on this 
important subject, I shall endeavor in this supplement to 
give some further instructions, by relating several import- 
ant cases, and their mode of treatment, which have occurred 
since my last edition was published. 

In addition to the bad practice of the doctors, as before 



BOTANIC FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 133 

related, I will state another case, of which I was an e5^e- wit- 
ness. M}^ brother's wife, about thirt}- j^ears old, was in 
travail with her first child. The midwife called on me for 
advice, on account of a violent flooding, which I immediatel}' 
relieved b}^ the hot medicine. At the same time, some people 
present privately sent for a doctor. When he came, I told 
him there was no difficulty, and all that was wanting was 
time. After examination, he said the woman had been well 
treated. He then took command, and very soon began to 
use too much exertion. He was cautioned by the midwife: 
but he showed temper, and said, "Why did you send for 
me,. if you know best?" I told him he was not sent for b3^ 
our request; we found no need of an}' other help. The doc- 
tor persisted in this harsh treatment for about seven hours, 
occasionally trying to put on his instruments of torture. 
This painful attempt caused the woman to shrink from her 
pains, and the child drew back. After making several un- 
successful attempts, he got himself tired out and asked me to 
examine her situation. I did so, and told him that the child 
was not so far advanced as when he came. He asked me to 
attend her. I refused the offer, and told him that he pro- 
nounced the woman well treated when he came, but she had 
not "been so treated since, and I was not liable to bear the 
blame. He then sent for another doctor, and let her alone 
till the other doctor came, in which time nature had done 
much in advancing her labor. The doctors were astonished 
at her strength in thus holding out, and I now firmly 
believe that with the use of the medicine which had been 
given her, and which ought to have been continued, nature 
would have completed her deliver3^ The second doctor did 
but little more than to isay the instruments could now be put 
on; which shows how far nature had completed her work. 
The first doctor put on the instruments of death and deliv- 
ered her b}' force, using strength enough to have drawn a 
hundredweight! Thus the child was, as I should call it, 
murdered; the head crushed, and the doctor put it in a tub 
of cold water twice; an application, one would have sup- 
posed, sufiicient to kill it, had it been well! 

The woman flooded, like the running of water, so as to 



134 NBIV GUIDE TO HEALTH; OR, 

be heard by all in the room . The doctor called for cold wa- 
ter to put on as soon as possible. I told the doctor that he 
need not trouble himself any further about the woman, I 
would take the care of her. I gave her a spoonful of fine 
bayberry, cayenne and drops, and got her into bed as soon as 
possible. The alarming situation soon abated; but her senses 
were gone, and her nerves all in a state of confusion. I re- 
peated the dose, with the addition of nerve powder. I put a 
hot stone, wrapped in cloths wet with vinegar, at her feet, 
and also at her back and bowels, until she got warm. Then 
her nerves became more composed. When the doctor left 
her, he said there was a doubt whether she lived over twelve 
hours. At that time she was so swollen as to stop all evac- 
uations, besides other injuries she had received by the use 
of force instead of aid. The midwife used her best endeav- 
ors to promote a natural discharge, but in vain. But when 
all other sources fail, then comes my turn. I succeeded, and 
saved her from mortification. The second day, I carried her 
through a course of medicine, steaming her in bed, for she 
was as helpless as though all her bones had been broken. 
All the way she could be turned was to draw her on the un- 
der sheet, and so turn her that way. After the second 
course she began to help herself a little. I was with her 
most of the time for five days and nights. I then left her, 
with medicines and directions, and she gained her health in 
about two months. I gave them directions how to proceed 
in case she should ever be in the like situation again. She 
had another child in about two years; the child lived, and 
both did well, by keeping awa}^ the doctor, as I am satisfied 
would have been the case the first time, had this scourge of 
humanity been kept away. 

I have been more particular in relating this case, than I 
otherwise should have been, had I not been an eye-witness to 
all the proceedings, and of course to'all the facts which I have 
stated, which I could not have believed had I not seen them; 
and had it been at my own house, I think I should not have 
waited for a door, but have pitched the monster out at the 
window. Yet I have reason to believe that this is only a 
sample of the general practice where nature moves slowly. 



BOTANIC FA MIL Y PHYSICIAN. 135 

The argot or rye spur, which is a very improper medicine, 
was also frequently given in this case; but it ought to be 
particularly guarded against in all cases. 



Another instance happened in the country very recently, 
only about six weeks since, where the doctor was with a 
young woman in travail, who had fits. The doctor bled her, 
and took away her child dead by force. The woman is yet 
in a poor state of health. What could we expect otherwise, 
where learned men forbid the laws of nature to take their 
course, take the blood, " which is the life," to enable wo- 
men to go through with the most laborious task which na- 
ture is called on to perform ? Consider of these things, my 
friends, and govern 3^ ourselves accordingl3\ 



Now^ let me exhibit the other side of the picture. I was 
called upon to attend a young woman in child-bed about 
four weeks ago, eighty miles in the country. I attended. 
She had been sick, and sent for help before I arrived, and 
had got about again. About one week after, she was taken 
again, with ever^^ appearance that she would be delivered 
soon. In about six hours the pains all flatted a wa3^; she 
grew pale and dull in spirits, and the motion of the child 
had nearly ceased. She had labored hard and got cold, and 
had a bad cough, and the moisture of the glands was so 
thickened, that she could not spit clear of her mouth. I 
saw that there w^as no use in any further dela3'. On Thurs- 
day I carried her through a thorough course of medicine, 
and steamed her twice in the course of the da3^ and then let 
her rest. About the same time she was taken the night be- 
fore, to wit, about eleven o'clock, her pains were regular, her 
animation and vigor returned; a fine son was born about 
three o'clock, and she walked from the fire to the bed; a por- 
tion of coffee and cayenne was administered, and a steaming 
stone put to her feet. As soon as her perspiration was free, 
all after-pains ceased, and there were none of those alarming 
symptoms common to learned ignorance. The second da3^ 
she showed symptoms of a child-bed fever and broken 
breasts. I carried her through another course of medicine 



136 NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH; OR, 

and steam. The fifth day she took breakfast and dinner be- 
low with the famil}^ and carried her child up stairs. The 
eighth day she rode out two miles, paid a visit and came 
back. On the ninth day, I carried her through another 
course of medicine, and got her so far cleared that she could 
spit clear of her mouth for the first time after I saw her. On 
the tenth day, she rode the same distance; and I have no 
doubt that, had she been attended in the common way, she 
would have had the child-bed fever, broken breasts, and a 
poor health afterwards. 

This case caused much conversation. Why so? It was 
the different mode of treatment, reversing ever}- mode com- 
monly attended to. " What shall we do?" say the people, 
* ' we shall never dare to employ a doctor again. ' ' I answer: 
"Call the doctor and obtain his advice, then reverse everj^ 
prescription given by him in a case of child-bed. If he tells 
you to have a doctor, have a midwife. If he sa3^s, ' Be 
bled,' keep your blood for other uses. If he says, 'Keep 
3^ourself cold,' sweat yourself. If he says, ' Put cold wa- 
ter on your bowels, ' take hot medicine inside, and a steam- 
ing stone at 3^our feet. If he says, ' Take physic,' use 
warm injections. If he says, 'Starve yourself, ' eat what 
your appetite craves. ' ' B}^ strict observance of the foregoing 
anti-directions, 3'ou ma)' enjoy 3^our health, and save the 
heavy bill for the man)' visits of the doctor, besides saving 
him from the trouble of keeping 3^ou sick. This is the mode 
of having patent babies, so highl3' recommended by Dr. 
Robinson in his 12th lecture, who sa3's: " Even in child-bed 
deliver3^ a matter never to be forgotten, this practice has 
very nearl3' removed the pain and punishment from the 
daughters of Eve, threatened to our progenitor and entailed 
upon her offspring. A lady of good sense, and without the 
least coloring of imagination, said it was easier to have five 
children under the operation and influence of this new prac- 
tice, than one by the other management and medicine. And 
she had had experience in both cases, and has been sup- 
ported in the evidence by ever3^ one who has followed her 
example." 



BOTANIC FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 137 

This extract speaks volumes in favor of the treatment in 
the last-named case. 

The following- case of midwifer}- 1 shall mention, with 
the mode of treatment, for the purpose of giving instruction 
to others: 

I was called to visit a woman in Greenfield, Saratoga 
County, N. Y., who had been in travail ten da3's, and her life 
despaired of. I think there were not less than ten men and 
women present, and the seal of despair was set upon each 
one's countenance. The woman in a low voice said, "I 
cannot see what can be the use of a woman's undergoing the 
distress I have for ten daj^s, and die after all, as two sisters 
of mine have done in a similar case but a short time ago." 
I replied that pain and distress were the common lot of all 
mankind, and the dut}' of every one is to alleviate the mis- 
eries of others as far as it is in our power. She asked me if 
I thought I could help her. I assured her that I would do 
everything I could for that purpose. There were several 
persons present who owned the right. I took out my medi- 
cine, and put in a teacup a large spoonful of composition, 
one teaspoonful of caj'enne, one of nerve powder, and one 
spoonful of sugar, filled the cup w4th boiling w^ater, stirred 
them well together, and set it down. While settling, I took 
a large teaspoonful of brown emetic, and having poured oflf 
the tea into another cup, stirred in the powder, and handed 
it to the woman, who swallowed it, apparentl}^ with all pos- 
sible faith that it would help her. I called for assistance to 
regulate the bed and other things, which were in disorder 
about the room, as soon as possible. Every attention was 
paid, the medicine roused the efforts of nature, so that the 
woman was in readiness before we were. This called all to 
her assistance; the desired object was obtained in less than 
fifteen minutes after taking this friend of nature; a fine son 
was born alive, and the woman comfortable and able, wdth 
steadying, to walk from the fire to the bed, to the great joy 
of all present. The gloom}- veil of despair was raised from 
the countenance of all, and the}" heartil}- partook of the jo}- 
and thankfulness of the woman and famil}", insomuch that 



138 JVEIV GUIDE TO HEALTH; OR, 

some of the women present declared that they would never 
have an}^ other children but patent ones hereafter. 

One of my agents, Joseph Michell, went with me, and we 
returned in the space of two hours, in a violent snow storm. 
He declared that that expedition was worth one hundred 
dollars to the society. The next day, the husband came 
and purchased the right, with instruction on the branch of 
midwifery; and has attended his wife twice since, with un- 
usual success. One of my agents says he has frequently 
heard the woman relate the foregoing case, but never with- 
out shedding tears. 

CASE OF MIDWIFERY IN COLUMBUS, OHIO. 

This woman I agreed to be with when confined, which 
was expected in about three weeks. I went to see my son, 
about 130 miles. While there, I fell and broke two of my 
ribs. I had a violent cough, and almost lost my life. I did 
not return short of about six weeks, and then in a very poor 
state of health. I arrived at the house about eleven o'clock 
at night. The woman was then in travail. She said she 
had waited for me three weeks. The midwife said the wa- 
ters had been discharged three daj'S, and the woman was in 
a low and lingering state, often wishing for me. I went to 
bed that night, but did not sleep much, on account of the 
distress of the woman, and noise of the moving in the house. 
I was solicited about noon the next day b}^ the husband and 
wife, her father and mother, my agent and his wife, with an 
earnest desire to attend the woman, as her mind was set on 
my attention. I reluctantly consented, as I was weak in 
body and mind, and hardly able to undergo the anxiety and 
responsibility of so difficult a case. I however agreed to do 
the best I could. I prepared a dose similar to that men- 
tioned in the foregoing case. It was given. It soon had 
the desired effect, by rousing the system to action. I deliv- 
ered her in about half an hour. But the child was appar- 
ently dead. I took the placenta, or after-birth, wdth the 
child. The grandmother being seated in the corner, she 
placed the after-birth on a bed of embers, while rubbing the 
child; and as soon as the substance on the coals had gained 



BO TANIC FA MIL Y PHYSICIAN. 1 39 

warmth enough to fill the umbilical cord with warmth and 
moisture, it was stripped towards the body of the child, and 
so continued until a sufiicient degree of warmth through this 
medium was conveyed into the body of the child as to ex- 
pand the lungs, which was effected in about fifteen or twen- 
ty minutes; then the string was separated in usual form. 

I relate this case for the information of those who may not 
have studied the principle of heat's giving life, as is mani- 
fest in the present case. There was no other possible way 
of communicating heat to the vitals except through that 
channel or stem, which had supported the growth of the child 
up to that time, the same as any vegetable fruit is supported 
from the vine or tree by the stem. If the vine be cut off, or 
pulled up, the fruit will wither and die. Now what was the 
cause of the death of this child ? Recollect the fore part of 
this statement. The water had been discharged three days. 
All that time the child had been starving, the same as the 
fruit loses its support w^hen the vine is cut. But by raising 
artificial heat through the placenta and umbilical cord, by 
putting the former on the embers, and convej^ng the heat to 
the body of the child through the medium of the latter, it 
gave the child one more meal, which roused it into action, 
and which was to last till the next means nature has pro- 
vided can be obtained. Before the child is born, it is sup- 
ported by this stem from the mother internally; after birth, 
from the breast of the mother externally. This food sup- 
ports the child till he can eat more solid food, and thus no 
longer need the breast. 

Now the attention of the mother, 

May be employ'd to have another; 

And so go on with all the rest, 

Your house be fill'd with children bless'd. 

CASE OF A FALSE CONCEPTION. 

About two 3^ears ago, I was called on by one of my agents 
at Kastport, Me., who appeared to be much alarmed, and 
requested me to go with him to visit a woman with whom 
he had been all night, and could give her no relief. She had 
flowed so much that she lay fainted away more than half 
the time, and the rest part of the time she was puking. 



140 NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH; OR, 

I asked him if she was in a pregnant state. He thought not. 
I answered I thought it must be the case. I went with 
him, and on the way asked him if he had given her an 
emetic ? He had not. If he had used an injection ? No, he 
did not think it would answer. Not answer! What is your 
medicine good for, if it is not a friend in the most alarming 
case ? When entering the house, the man said: " M}^ wife 
has been fainted away more than half the time since you left, 
and the rest of the time she has been puking." I directed 
my agent to go after his syringe. The first thing I could 
find warm was .some wormwood tea. I took some in a cup, 
and added some ca3'enne, nerve powder, and Emetic Herb, 
sweetened, as heretofore directed. She took it. I then 
steeped one pint of coffee, and had time to give her about one 
glass, with a requisite portion of the same article as before, 
when the S3^ringe arrived. I then prepared about a gill of 
this liquid, and added the same proportion of the articles 
taken, and charged the sj^ringe with it, and ordered the 
nurse to administer it. I, with my agent, left the room for 
the space of about ten minutes, when we were called in, and 
found the nurse much surprised at the discharge. The like 
was never seen by any one present. The appearance was 
like a hog's heart secured in a membrane. The people were 
at a loss what to call it. My agent was of opinion that there 
was some human shape in it. I said no. To satisfy him- 
self, he opened it with his knife, and found it solid flesh. I 
told them it was a false conception, and void of human shape. 
I then repeated the dose as before given, and repeated the 
injection in usual form, which cleared her of all disorder, 
and set nature at liberty. All flowing, puking, and faint- 
ing ceased from the first application I made. The woman 
soon got well, and in less than one year had a fine son, and 
her health remains good. Many thanks were given me by 
the family, believing, as they said, that what I administered 
to the woman, together with what I prescribed, had saved 
her life. 

I shall close this subject with a few brief remarks. 

The foregoing cases I have described for the purpose of 
showing the difference between forcing nature, and aiding 



BOTANIC FA MIL Y PHYSICIAN. 141 

and assisting her. They are two theories directly opposed 
to each other, and can never harmonize together. As soon 
as learned ignorance begins to use force to extend the pass- 
age, the child ceases from its natural progression and draws 
back; as nature shrinks from all such operations, and force 
must then do the whole; and if the child should be caught 
by such force, as the dog catches his game, it will be likely 
to share the same fate, as in the case first mentioned. I shall 
not follow up the simile by comparing a doctor to a dog, 
though it might be made a very striking one. Is not this 
the cause of many women lingering out a miserable exist- 
ence in pain and torment, who are often heard to saj^ '' I 
have never been well since my last child was born. I was 
in the hands of the doctor three days, and at last was deliv- 
ered with instruments. I did not stand on my feet for six 
weeks, and have never regained my health." Yet the doc- 
tor is looked upon as her benefactor, and is thanked for sav- 
ing her life. Query — Were these evil consequences ever 
known where nature did her own work, and the child born 
before the doctor could get there? In all my practice, I nev- 
er knew an instance where the woman could not bear her 
weight upon her feet the same day. Nor have I ever heard 
of a single instance where nature had been assisted accord- 
ing to my practice by others, where the patient was not able 
to bear her weight on her feet the same day of her delivery. 
As to the cause of the difference between those attended ac- 
cording to nature and those attended secundum artem (ac- 
cording to art) , I shall leave the reader to decide for himself. 
Another evil in this branch which I shall mention here, 
and of which women have generally either felt or heard, is 
that of taking the after-birth by force. The doctor says, 
'.' It has grown fast to the side," and tears it off, so as to be 
heard by those present. Alarming, if not fatal, consequences 
are the result. The question is, what other way can be done? 
Answer: The same as in taking the child. Assist nature, 
instead of forcing it. The only rule given by me to those 
who wish to attend their own wives or others is simply this: 
After the string is separated from the child, be careful not to 
lose it by letting it draw back, as this is the only sure guide 



142 NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH; OR, 

to the placenta. Take the string between the thumb and 
finger of the left hand, drawing it straight, while having the 
same between the thumb and finger of the right hand, slip- 
ping it forward until you find the solid part to which the 
string is attached. Take a steady pull when the pain is on. 
After a few seconds it will begin to give wa3% turning inside 
out, as turning the lining to the sleeve of a coat. But if it 
stick fast, take care not to break the string, as, if you do, you 
lose your guide. Keep the woman well fed with hot medi- 
cine, to prevent flooding. Then carr}- her through a course 
of medicine, and when the system is slackened it will 
often come of itself I would prefer having it remain till it 
discharges itself, according to nature, as it certainlj^ will in 
time, than to be taken away by force, as I have seen done. 
The danger is far less. But I never knew a case of the kind 
where the woman had been sufficienth^ cleared by the medi- 
cine near the time of her delivery. I knew one instance 
where the woman had been treated by force in this way, and 
she had been so injured that all her urine ran away as fast 
as it collected. The doctors had so injured her that they 
declared she would never live to have another child. But 
they were mistaken. The next one she was attended by my 
direction, and carried through, I think, thirteen courses of 
medicine before delivery. I attended her. She was sick- 
but about two hours; was delivered and cleared without any 
difficulty, and both she and her child did well. 

There are as great errors committed in using force for the 
after-birth as for the child. The inflammation caused by 
using force in taking the child causes the obstruction in 
taking the after-birth. When learned ignorant pretenders, 
who know nothing about following the umbilical cord for 
their guide, proceed inward, w^here they have no business, 
they often commit irreparable injur}^ and instead of taking 
the after-birth, they injure the womb, sometimes by turning 
it wrong side out, which causes distressing bearing-down 
pains, and thus the woman must linger out a miserable ex- 
istence until death comes as a welcome friend to relieve her. 

Thus, kind reader, I have given you the most important 
particulars I now think of, and as to any further general 



BOTANIC FAMIL Y PHYSICIAN. 143 

directions, I can do no better than to refer you to the Ge7ier- 
al Directions, as laid down in this book; and it is my opin- 
ion that you are better off with your own judgment and this 
book, than with all the scientific ignorance, called knowl- 
edge, as taught in the schools, without it. Hence ni}^ ad- 
vice to you is: Dismiss all doctors of law, physic and divinity. 
Pray for your own soul, if you know what it is, doctor your 
own body, and make your own will. By so doing 3^ou will 
save your share of the greatest tax ever imposed on man- 
kind. 

OUTLINES OF TREATMENT IN THE HOUR OF TRAVAIL 

To point out a regular rule or form for every woman, 
would be out of vay power, as they are restless, shifting their 
position in every form and manner to find a place of rest, 
which is as difficult as that of Noah's dove. When they be- 
come so far advanced that the}- cannot satisfy themselves 
any longer in their own way, then yoM may assist them in 
the best manner to help themselves, and to enable others to 
help them, by assisting nature to do her own work. 

The seat is prepared in different ways, according to their 
fancy. Those who have had children ought to be the best 
judge how to aid and assist them in this particular. I shall 
only give advice how to proceed in some alarming and diffi- 
cult cases, to be handed down for the benefit of generations 
yet unborn, as none can be obtained from the progress of the 
learned for four thousand years. And if any beneficial in- 
formation shall now be obtained, it must be from the illiter- 
ate, who have studied nature rather than books. I have no 
authors, dictionaries or concordance to assist my feeble ef- 
forts in acquiring a correct judgment. Necessity and expe- 
rience are the only sources of m}^ knowledge, from which I 
draw all my lessons. 

Among the most desperate cases is the flowing of females; 
pregnant or not, the treatment is the same. If it happens 
before delivery, give a portion of composition, with more cay- 
enne and hot water, sweetened; or some drops, cayenne 
and snuff, or fine bay berry, as substitutes. If after deliver}^, 
the same. When the woman grows weary and worn out, 



144 NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH; OR, 

and pains begin to die away, give a portion of the third 
preparation, in some composition and nerve powder. This 
will compose the system so as to rest or reinforce nature and 
hasten delivery. It is of great service when the pains are 
lingering, at the time of giving the above-name'd medicine 
to use an injection, in common form, made of the same com- 
pound. This will hasten or delay delivery, as nature re- 
quires. 

Remark. About the time of delivery- apply a cloth sev- 
eral thicknesses, wet with hot water, to slack the muscles; 
repeat it occasionally, and keep it hot till nature is ready to 
perform her w^ork. 

I attended one woman in this city wdth her first child. 
Her strength failed, her pains slacked; I gave her a table- 
spoonful of the liquid of the third preparation; wrapped her 
warm, which caused her to vomit once, and raised a perspi- 
ration; she fell asleep, and in this situation rested four hours, 
when the head of the child was so far advanced as to have 
been visible. She awoke, her travail recommenced with 
reinforced vigor. She was delivered rather in a cold state; 
she flowed badly. I gave her some No. 2 and drops, with a 
little fine bayberr^^ which had the desired effect. She walked 
from the fire to the bed, and did well. 

There is another distressing complaint incident to females 
worse than having children; and often no relief from the doc- 
tors. I have seen women in as great agony wdth false pains 
as at the delivery of a child. A strong tea of witch-hazel 
leaves and nerve powder, and a little ca}- enne, strained, used 
by injection either way, or both, I have seen relieve like 
throwing water on the fire. The disorder is canker, and 
must be met with its antidote where it is. 

These few remarks, together with the foregoing cases, 
will be sufiicient information on this subject. In conclus- 
ion, I would ask, Can we attach sufiicient value to a medi- 
cine that will give rest to a weary patient in travail, and re- 
store the nefves and muscles to a giant-like strength, as re- 
freshed by wine, and continue the strength until delivery is 
completed; and at the same time guard against all those 
alarming complaints which too often follow afterwards ? A 



BOTANIC FAMIL Y PHYSICIAN. 14-5 

medicine to which 3'ou ma}^ resort with perfect confidence in 
times of the greatest peril, that, if anj^thing can, will save 
your wife and child, and the fee of twenty dollars from the 
doctor. This is the regular fee in cities, though it is less in 
the country. 

SUPPLEMENT TO THE VENEREAL-See page 125. 

There are four diseases, or rather four names of disease, 
which are often made fatal in consequence of the name, i . 
Venereal. 2. H3'drophobia. 3. Smallpox. 4. Erysipelas. 
As the remedy is laid down in the Medical Pocket Book, 
the name is doctored instead of the disease. If a child has a 
sore ear, and it runs a yellow water, it will spread like fire, 
as often seen on a pot; and it will inoculate where it touches. 
While on the child's ear, women call it a canker sore, and 
there is nothing alarming under this name. Any old woman 
can cure it. But take the same infection from the ear, and 
inoculate with it in that part of the body where venereal is 
seated, and call it venereal, the consequence is the same; and 
by the same mercurial treatment there would be all the 
alarming consequences as though the disorder was gener- 
ated in any other wa}'. Yea, if the patient was well, with 
the same administration of mercun-, in the same wa}^ and to 
the same extent, the buboes and shankers would often make 
their appearance in the same manner wdthout the supposed 
disease as with. The}^ doctor the name instead of the dis- 
order. The patient, therefore, as often loses his life by the 
mercury as by the supposed disease. 

Kqualh^ so in hydrophobia, b}^ taking mercury the rem- 
edy becomes worse than the disease. 

In either of the above cases, the disorder is far easier 
cured by a regular course of medicine than the poison given 
for it; as the mercury is harder to eradicate from the vS^^stem 
than all the natural disease incident to mankind. 

Since vi\\ last edition was published, the smallpox has 
been thoroughlj^ attended to, and the general rule, as there 
laid down, found to answer ever}^ purpose and produce the 
desired effect. To bring out the smallpox, as in the meas- 
les and other similar disorders, be careful not to have too 



14H NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH; OR, 

much outward heat while the pock is filling. I visited a 
family in Cincinnati last winter who had the smallpox, and 
who had had the kinepox previous. The appearance of the 
pustules was more like poison or measles than that of the 
smallpox. When it turned, it began to flat, instead of dry- 
ing off; and wdien it had flatted down to the vitals, it turned 
in, and one died, and the other it left in a miserable state of 
health, the pits hard and blue, like other poison sores; and I 
am of an opinion that more people die in consequence of 
having the kinepox, than it would to let the smallpox have 
its natural run. Because the nature of the smallpox, when 
taken the natural way, is to clear the system from every 
other putrefaction, which, on the turn, scabs off with it. 
Not so in the kinepox. The infection partakes of every 
disorder of the persons of which it was taken — itch, venereal, 
cancer humors, or, worse than all the rest, mercurial taint 
given by the doctor. When part or all of these diseases are 
inoculated into a health}- person, and have no way to discharge 
themselves from the sj^stem, the}^ create worse disease than the 
smallpox. I knew a man in Portsmouth, N.H.,who was inoc- 
ulated with the kinepox, the infection taken frotn a man who 
had 'cancer humor. He was a healthy man when inoculated. 
I saw him within two j^ears, and it was judged that he had 
more than half a peck of cancers on different parts of the • 
body and limbs. He imputed it entirely to this inoculation, 
and highly disapproved of the kinepox. He died in the 
most distressed condition. 



The learned have added uothiug to the healiug art; but they have doue much 
iu taking- the knowledge of the simple remedies from the people. They have sub- 
stituted the poisonous minerals, which have nmltiplied the forms of disease, and 
thereby added to our bills of mortality. They have taken midwifery from the 
tender hands of women, and substituted the torturing instruments of steel, where- 
by not only children, but women, have been scarified. In relation to such practice, 
Robinson saj-s, Lee. viii, page 103: "It is. in truth, like running the gauntlet 
among ai-nied Indians, or red-hot plough-shares, to escape from the poisons or 
medical practice." 



Why do old people die in ore in a icarni and rainy iv inter 
til an in a severe eold one f 

The answer to the above question is at hand. Old peo- 
ple are like the old house which they built in their younger 



BO TANIC FAMIL J ^ PHYSICIAN. 1 47 

daN's. The house deca3\s about as fast as its builder, and 
becomes racked with the wind and storms which have beaten 
upon it until the cracks open, the shingles blow off, and the 
house grows leaky and cold. So is the man in his old age. 
He has become racked with the storms and hardships of life; 
his heat goes out, the fire-place decays, his food digests 
poorl}', and gives but little nourishment or heat to warm the 
body and expand the lungs. For the inward heat rarifies 
the air in the lungs, and causes them to expand, by lighten- 
ing the air within, and the heft of the surrounding atmos- 
phere, being higher charged with ox^^gen or water, puts out 
the fire faster than dr}-, cold air; and as the heat decays in- 
ward, the weight of the air crowds heavily on the lungs, and 
causes great difficult}' in breathing; the lungs labor like the 
wheel of a mill in back w^ater, the fountain almost level with 
the stream, until the heat in the lungs becomes insufficient 
to expand them any longer; the heft of the air comes to an 
equilibrium of heft inside, and all motion ceases. The water 
in the air has put out the fire. This is the cause why in those 
people who have but little fire in the bodj^, and such a heft 
of damp air outside, the heat is so soon extinguished inside, 
like a person falling into the water; the cause of death is, that 
the water has put out the fire; and when the air ij? full of water, 
it puts out the fire in the same proportion. Thus I think I 
have given a satisfactor}^ cause of death upon natural princi- 
ples. The cause and effect are in themselves. 

In this case, I would ask the Christian, of ever}^ denom- 
ination, what God here either gave or took awa}- life? Was 
there au}^ God in the case abstract from the cause here giv- 
en? Or what soul or spirit went out at death except the 
heat, or nature, which caused life and breath? 

HOW DOCTORS SHORTEN THE LIVES OF THEIR PATIENTS. 

• 

That the practice of the regular doctors, as they are 
termed, shortens the lives of their patients, is a truth of 
which I have not the shadow of a doubt, and the cause, to 
me, is obvious. The cold poisons which they administer 
have the effect of chilling the stomach and killing the di- 
gestive organs; so that the food does not raise more than half 



148 NBJV GUIDE TO HEALTH; OR, 

the heat it did in a natural state, before those poisons had 
been administered. Then the bleeding and blistering lessen 
the remainder so as to reduce the heat to the capacity of old 
age. It is the same thing no matter what age, from one 
hour old to an hundred 3'ears. When the heat is so far ex- 
hausted that the air is not sufficiently lightened by the heat 
to expand the adjoining air, the pressure becomes equalled, 
external and internal, the same as in the case of a drowned 
person. There is no difference as to age, sect, or denomina- 
tion, so far as the practice is concerned; and so far as that 
goes to lessen the heat by bleeding, by fever powders, or by 
poison, all tend to lessen inward heat, and to diminish life in 
the same proportion ; and when it is entirel}' extinguished, 
death follows as a natural consequence, and from the same 
cause, loss of heat, whatever it ma}^ be that puts out the fire. 
The putting out of the fire, or extinguishing inward or vital 
heat, is the cause of death. 

All practitioners, therefore, may by this rule either con- 
demn or justif}' themselves by looking back on their former 
practice, and asking themselves the quCvStion: " Have I cul- 
tivated the heat of ni}- patients, to prolong their lives; or have 
I extinguished their heat, and thereby killed or destroyed 
them?" Is not this question fully answered? See how the 
lives of human beings are daily sacrificed, at all ages, from 
birth to death ! Who, I would ask, is authorized to sa}- in 
such a case, " The Lord gives, and the Lord taketh away, 
and blessed be the name of the Lord," when they are de- 
stroyed in this manner ? 

In everything that breathes, the breathing is from the 
same cause. Without heat, there is no breathing. But 
when heat is continually generated or evolved in a confined 
room, excepting at one avenue, as in the lungs, there must 
be breathing, or, what is the same, an inhaling of cold air, 
and an exhaling of oxygen or vapor from it. Every animal 
body has its lamp, in proportion to its bigness; and its con- 
tinuing to burn is much owing to the one who trims or takes 
care of the lamp. If it be replenished with water instead of 
oil, and with an icicle for a wick, it is like the method in 
which the doctors trim the lamps of their patients. Taking 



BOl^ANIC FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 149 

out the blood is like pouring out the oil ; and the cold poison 
is as the icicle for a wick. The effect soon follows, which 
is cold and darkness. Can we doubt this being the fact at 
the present time ? Do we not often see the head of a family 
suddenly made cold by his lamp being put out; and three or 
four children taken from one house, all having their lamps 
blown out ? Can any one suppose that had their lamps been 
trimmed with good oil, and good wicks, that they would not 
have continued burning as long as the body of the lamp re- 
mained whole ? But if we continue not our own guards and 
sentinels, but emplo}- artificial and learned fools to watch 
over us, and save our oil for their own use, and trim our 
lamps with water and ice, we cannot wonder at seeing our 
wives and children " dashed in pieces like the potter's ves- 
sel." When we employ seamen to drive our coach of life, 
instead of horsemen, and as long as custom, superstition, 
error and bigotry are the ruling principles of the world, we 
never can expect to live while all the oil in our lamps is 
consumed, but to be blown ovit b}- the breath of ignorance, if 
nothing worse, as mankind has been in all ages where the 
poisonous breath of the BohonUpas overtakes them. 

The Priest and Doctor claiming- the control. 
One of the flesh, the other of the soul. 
Hell and the pit, from which thej' dig their stuff, 
Are never filled, j-ea, never cr\' enough. 

The effect of religions meetings, ivhei'e ivomen chiefly at- 
tend, in the absence of their husbands. 

If women are allowed to attend day and night meetings, 
for the purpose of having the priest pray for their souls and 
pardon their sins, while their husbands and children are left 
at home, how long will it be before the sandals of the priest 
will be left at the door, as in some other countries, as a token 
that the husband must not enter, lest he should see and learn 
how the priest pardons his wife's sins? 

The doctor also, who comes in for a full share in the.se 
secret privileges, if he be allowed to examine secretly our 
wives and daughters for the purpose of finding some secret 
complaint, which is indecent for the husband or father to 
witness or to know, as was the case of R 's wife and 



loO jV£JV guide to HEALTH; OR, 

Dr. A , of this city, but a few years since, who is to be 

responsible for the mode of examination? 

If men will allow their wives to be thus privately exam- 
ined by these crafts, for the purpose of pardoning their sins 
and removing their indecent disorders, will they not soon 
claim all the indecent jobs in their families ? If it be inde- 
cent for a man to be present at the birth of his child, why not 
equall}^ indecent to be present at its generation ? And so we 
must let the priest and the doctor generate, as well as bring 
into the world, all our children ! The priest could still bap- 
tize them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, 
in whose name, also, he might pardon the sins of their moth- 
er ! In this way, those two crafts might liberate the affection- 
ate husband from all the toils of his family, excepting that 
of their maintenance ! 

Arouse, husbands, from your lethargy. Gird on every 
man his sword by his side. The sword of truth, I mean. 
Go in and out of your camp, and whenever you please, till 
you have driven all such miscreants from your borders. 
Take the protection of your wives and daughters into your 
own hands; keep them at home at all proper times, and when 
they go to meeting, go with them; when they are so sick as 
to need a doctor, which, if properly treated, w^ould seldom be 
the case, be present at the examination; if they need prayers, 
pra}^ for them yourselves; if the}^ w^ant children, be sure to 
be their real father, and take a fatherl}^ care of them in 
bringing into the world, as well as afterwards; nourish them 
with due attention, instruct them in all that is good; but 
save them, b}^ all means, from the pincers of learned doctors, 
or the fears of missionar}- mules. 

>e®=-All people who have been attended b}- patent Doctors are cautioned 
against putting themselves under regular docto s, as the cases have generally 
proven fatal to the patient, and the blame palmed on the Patent Doctor; some al- 
ter two weeks in their care. 

SEAMEN'S DIRECTIONS. 

After purchasing the right, and having a sample of med- 
icine numbered, these directions are the first lessons learned, 
as it gives a short and concise view of the system and prac- 
tice. In the first stages of disease, one gill of No. 3 may 



\ 



\ 



BOTANIC FAMIL Y PHYSICIAN. 151 

be used simple, with or without sugar. In more violent at- 
tacks, use from a half to a teaspoonful of No. 2 ; let the pa- 
tient be covered with a blanket, by the fire or in bed; appl}' 
a hot stone at the feet; if this does not relieve them, add the 
emetic, No. i, and nerve powder, and go through a course 
of medicine. In all cases where the glands are dr}-, and 
much fever, the emetic should be used without spirit; the 
bitters are also best taken in hot water, sweetened, than with 
spirit. The objection to physic and bleeding is given in 
these directions hereafter. The complement of medicine 
given as a family stock is more to show the simplicity of the 
articles than the requisite quantit}- required. Give chil- 
dren drink often, sick or well. 

g^^The public are cautioned against employing au}^ one 
who shall pretend to use his own improvements with my 
System of Practice, as I will not be accountable for anj^ mal- 
practice of his. 

Th' Emetic uumber one's design'd 
A general niedciue for mankind, 
of ever}' countr3% clime, or place. 
Wide as the circle of our race. 

In everj^ case, and state, and .stage, 
Whatever malady maj' rage; 
For male or female, young or old. 
Nor can its value half be told. 

To use this med'cine do not cease. 
Till you are helped of your disease; 
For NATURE'S FRIEND this sure ^vill be. 
When you are taken .sick at sea. 

Let number two be used bold. 
To clear the .stomach of the cold; 
Next steep the coffee, number three, 
And keep as warm as you can be. 

A hot stone at the feet now keep. 

As well as inward warmth repeat. 

The fountain 'bove the stream keep clear, 

And perspiration will appear. 

When sweat enough as you suppose, 
In .spirit wash, and change your clothes; 
Again to bed, both clean aud white. 
And .sleep in comfort all the night. 

Should the disorder reiuforce, 
Then folloAV up the former course; 
The second time I think will do. 
The third to fail I seldom knew. 



152 iVBlF GUIDE TO HEALTH; OR, 

Now take your bitters bj- the way, 
Two, three, or four times in a da\-; 
Your appetite if it be good. 
You may eat any kind of food. 

Phj'sic I would by uo means choose 
To have you first or last to use; 
For if you take it much in course, 
It will disorder reinforce. 

If any one should be much bruisd, 
Where bleeding frequentW is ns'd, 
A lively sweat upon that day 
Will start the blood a better wa\-. 

Let names of all disorders be 
Ijke to the limbs joiu'd on a tree; 
Work on the root, and that subdue. 
Then all the limbs will bow to \'ou. 

So as the body is the tree. 
The limbs are colic, pleuri.sy, 
Worms and gravel, gout and stone; 
Remove the cause and they are gone. 

My system's founded on this truth, 

Man's Air and Water, Fire and Earth, 

And death is cold, and life is heat. 

These temper'd well, your health's complete. 



BOTANIC FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 



153 



INDEX. 



Ague iu the Face. . . 
American Valeriau. 

Archangel 

Balm of Gilead 



109 

(J7 

78 

75 

Kalsam of Fir 78 

Barberry H2 

Bayberry 57 

Black Pepper 56 

Bitter Herb HI 

Bitter Root tf2 

Bittersweet 70 

Birch Bark 72 

Bitter Thistle 78 

Bitters 82 

Bleeding Iit7 

Bile (see No. 4.) 

Bilious Colic 121 

Burdock 71 

Butternut 75 

Burns 9(} 

Bones, how set 109 

Camphor 6(5 

Cayenne 50, 80 

Cancers 102 

Cancer'Plaster 85 

Cancer Sores 102 

Chamomile 70 

Cherry Stones 64 

Clivers 72 

Composition Powders 84 

Cough 113 

Chicken Broth 93 

Consumption 128 

Counter-Poison (see No. 1). 

Course of Medicine 24 80 

Corns 125 

Description of Diseases 94 

Directions for Preparing Vegetable 

Medicine 79 

Drowned Persons 91 

Dropsy 121 

Dysentery 123 

Elecampane 69 

Elm Bark 78 

Emetic Herb .40. 79 

Evan Root 72 

Featherfew 72 

Felons 94 

Fevers 14 

Fits 119 

Fever and Ague 17 

Gentian 73 

General Directions 88 

Gravel 120 

Ginger 55 

Golden Seal 68 

Gout 124 

Golden Rod 76 



Headache 12i5 

Hemlock Bark 58 

Hoarhound 69 

Horseradish 74 

Injections 86 

Introduction 7 

Internal Heat (see No. 2.) 

Itch 77, ^^ 

Jaundice 114 

Ladies' Slipper 67 

lyOck-jaw 47 

lyily Root 57 

Measles ill 

Marsh Rosemary 5S 

Mayweed 69 

Milk Porridge 93 

Myrrh 65 

Mullein 70 

Mustard 74 

Meadow Fern 77 

Mortification of Limbs 98 

Muscles, how relaxed 109 

Mad Dog (see No. 1.) 

Midwifery 128 

Nerve Powder 67 

Preparation of do 88 

Nervine (see Nerve Powder). 

Nettle Spring 120 

Nerve Ointment 86 

No. 1. Emetic Herb, description of. 40 

Preparation of do 79 

No. 2. Cayenne, description of. 50 

Preparation of do 80 

No. 8. To remove Canker, descrip- 
tion of articles for that purpose. . 56 

Preparation of do 80 

No. 4. Bitters to correct the Bile, de- 
scription of articles for that pur- 
pose 61 

Preparation of do 82 

No. 5. Syrup for the Dysentery, de- 

-scription of the articles used 64 

Preparation of do 82 

No. 6. Rheumatic Drops, descrip- 
tion of articles used 65 

Preparation of do 83 

Peach Meats 64 

Peppermint 68 

Pennyroyal 69 

Pipsisway 76 

Pleurisy 122 

Poisons 28 

Poison by Ivy, etc 110 

Poplar Bark 62 

Prickly Ash 78 

Poultice 86 

Piles 105 

Remarks on Fevers 14 



154 



IXDEX. 



Relax 122 

Red Peppers 'm 

Red Raspberrx- (10 

Rheumatism Vl'6 

Rheumatic Drops (!•') 

Rheiimatic Weed 711 

Ruptures lOS 

Salve S.') 

Scalds !lo 

Scald Heads 1U() 

Suiallpox 1 12 

Sore Lips 124 

Sore Eves 12-1 

Sore Breasts lOU 

Skuuk Cabbage ^1 

Slippery Elm Bark , "> 

Suake Root 7^ 

Steaming 22 

Sumach .")!) 

Squaw Weed (il 

Spirits of Turpentine. (Hi 

Spearniint (i8 

Summer Sa\-ory (i!t 

Syrup 82 

Strengthening Plaster <S5 

Stock of ^Medicine 88 

St. Anthonv's Fire 120 



Strangurv 120 

Surfeit. . .' 120 

Tansy 70 

Thorough wort 72 

Umbil (see Nerve Powder t. 

Venereal 12.") 

Volatile Salts 8.") 

Vegetable Powder 8-1 

Vervine, white and blue / li 

Vegetable Medicine, description of. . -Si) 

Witch Hazel ol) 

W'ormwood 1 

Wakerobin 71 

Wonus 11') 

Vellow Dock 77 

Supplement P>1 

Midwifery, further remarks on lo2 

Ivxtraordinar}' case of lo") 

Do. in Saratoga Cmmty, X. Y \'\~ 

Do. in Cohimlnis, Ohio lo8 

Ealse Conception, case of lo!) 

Outlines of Travail l-l^j 

Supplement to the A'enereal Ho 

Why do old people die, etc IJH 

How doctors shorten, etc 147 

Religious meetings, effects of 140 

Seamen's directions 1")0 



